Generation and Genetic Characterization of Salt-Tolerant Wheat (Triticum aestivum) Mutants under a Conservation Agriculture System

Abstract A set of mutant’s wheat in M3, M4, and M5 generations (2021–2023) and mother varieties were sown in a high salinity environment on six combinations of organic amendments in Ras Sudr, Egypt to develop salt-tolerant cultivars under CA. Ten SSR markers linked with salinity tolerance were used to assess genetic diversity in wheat genotypes. The selection index that contained studied traits could be used as selection criteria to isolate salt-tolerant wheat, as there is a positive significant correlation with grain yield. The average values of polymorphic information content (PIC), gene diversity (GD), and Shannon diversity Index (H) were 0.36, 0.4574, and 0.64 respectively, indicating moderate genetic diversity among the wheat genotypes evaluated can be exploited to produce salt-tolerant wheat cultivars. These markers were initially identified for their association with salt tolerance in wheat. However, subsequent research has revealed their potential involvement in other important agronomic traits, so we associated the results of SSR markers with its related qtls in wheat. This association suggests its potential in influencing yield-related traits in wheat. These findings collectively demonstrate the versatility of SSR markers in identifying loci that govern various agronomic traits in wheat. These markers can play significant roles in improving multiple traits, including salt tolerance, heat stress resilience, grain quality, and yield components. This multifaceted nature makes them valuable tools for developing wheat varieties that can thrive in diverse and challenging environments. This knowledge can be leveraged in marker-assisted breeding programs to develop wheat cultivars with improved salt tolerance, disease resistance, grain quality, and yield-related traits.