Microsatellite marker-assisted backcross breeding for improvement of wheat salt tolerance using Kharchia 65

Salinity is a significant abiotic stress that affects plants from germination through all growth stages. This study was aimed to determine the morpho-physiological and genetic variations in BC₁F₂, BC₂F₁ and F₃ generations resulting from the cross combination WH1105 × Kharchia 65.

A significant reduction in germination percentage was observed under salt stress in BC₁F₂ and F₃ seeds. Correlation, heritability in the broad sense, phenotypic coefficient of variability (PCV) and genotypic coefficient of variability (GCV) were measured for all traits. The presence of both Nax1 and Nax2 loci was confirmed in twenty-nine plants using the marker-assisted selection technique. Genetic relationships among the populations were assessed using twenty-four polymorphic SSR markers.

Cluster analysis along with two and three-dimensional PCA scaling (Principal Component Analysis) revealed the distinct nature of WH 1105 and Kharchia 65. Six plants closer to the recurrent parent (WH1105) selected through this study can serve as valuable genetic material for salt-tolerant wheat improvement programs.