IN VITRO SELECTION OF SALT TOLERANT ARTICHOKE HYBRIDS

In vitro salt tolerance evaluation trials of four artichoke hybrids (‘Madrigal F1’, ‘Opal F1’, ‘Tempo F1’, ‘Concerto F1’) were conducted in 500 ml jars containing a nutritive medium supplemented with 0, 50, 100, 150, 200 mM NaCl. Sterile seedlings were maintained on a selective medium for 10 weeks. The growth parameters analyzed were: survival capacity, electrolyte leakage, shoot length, fresh and dry weight of epigeal, and hypogeal part of tested plants. We used sensitiveness indexes IS=(Ps-Pt)/Pt*100, where Ps shows the value of each parameter of salt stressed plants and Pt is the value of the same parameter in non-stressed plants. More negative value of sensitiveness index is a typical of sensitive hybrids. The measurement of electrolyte leakage estimates the membrane integrity in relation to saline stress. The results showed that ‘Madrigal F1’ is highly salt tolerant, and ‘Tempo F1’ is highly susceptible. A clear relationship between plant survival and sensitiveness indexes and electrolyte leakage, shows clear indicators for estimating in vitro salinity tolerance and can be used in screening salt-tolerant genotypes.