Selection for salanity tolerance and molecular genetic markers in Durum Wheat (Triticum durum Desf.)

Response of six genotypes of durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) Waha, Beliouni, Gumgoum Rkhem, Adna-2, Beni mestina and Adna-1; to mature embryo culture, embryogenic callus production and in vitro salt tolerance, were the main objective of this study. The effect of salt stress induced by NaCl on MS medium (Murashige and Skoog., 1962), the callus embryogenic medium was added to 3.5mg/l of 2.4-D (2.4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) and were subcultured on regeneration media containing 1mg/l of kinetin and 2 mg/l of AIA (?-indoleacetic acid), for roots proliferation, plantlets regenerated was transferred to MS/2 medium added to 1 mg/l. The embryogenic callus induction and regeneration rate were determined. The results showed that salt influence the regeneration rate and embryogenic callus induction. The influence of these two parameters is very marked when NaCl concentration reached 16g.l-1 in medium culture. For RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA) analysis, the six genotype of durum wheat was cultivated ex vitro in absence and under salt stress. DNA (RAPD) markers were used to evaluate the genetic variability of the regenerated plants. Nine arbitrary primers were used to amplify genomic DNA of the original durum wheat cultivars and regenerated plants. Twenty two bands of 557 were polymorphic. The presence of polymorphic bands showed the presence of somaclonal variation, which can be used for selection of durum wheat toward desirable traits.