Soil salinity appears as one of the most relevant abiotic factors negatively affecting wheat yield and quality, and creating varieties that can adequately respond to this factor is an urgent task today. The presented study assessed the response of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes to salinity at the ontogenetic stage based on variations in morphometric parameters. Eight spring wheat cultivars’ evaluation identified salt-tolerant genotypes beneficial in future breeding programs. The study of salt stress with varied influence on the shoot and root length of wheat seedlings ensued. The results revealed substrate salinity leads to a significant decrease in seed germination, length and weight of shoots and roots, and leaf area (by 12.8%–97.6%). Wheat cultivars displayed varied responses to different salinity concentrations based on morphometric indicators. According to the degree of negative impact on wheat plants, the salinity types can be as NaCl < Na₂SO₄. The highest sensitivity of wheat cultivars to salinity was evident at the seed germination and the growth of seven-day-old seedlings. Based on the presented study, some spring soft wheat (Kayraktash, Pakhlavon, Es-4, and Es-61) cultivars showed distinction with different levels of salt tolerance that can benefit future breeding programs.

Keywords: Spring wheat (T. aestivum L.), cultivars, salt tolerance, chloride salinity, sulfate salinity, response to salinity, germination and growth traits

Key findings: Four wheat (T. aestivum L.) cultivars were tolerant to chloride and sulfate salinity at the juvenile stage of development from the eight studied samples. These are Kayraktash, Pakhlavon, Es-4, and Es-61, providing the highest germination at different salinity levels. These genotypes can be a valuable source in future breeding programs.