# Physiological Plasticity and Growth Dynamics as Predictive Parameters for Screening Salinity Stress Gradient Responses in Four Triticum aestivum L. Varieties: Boema, Glosa, Granny and Taisa

## TL;DR

This study explores how four wheat varieties respond to different levels of soil salinity by analyzing their physiological and growth characteristics.

## Contribution

The study introduces a hierarchical synthesis model using a multi-layered sunburst plot to screen salinity stress responses in wheat.

## Key findings

- 45 mM NaCl is the osmotic adjustment threshold that maximizes guard cell turgor and stomatal width.
- Granny wheat variety showed the highest physiological parameters and biomass, followed by Taisa.
- Glosa wheat variety exhibited the lowest development and biomass under salinity stress.

## Abstract

Soil salinity in wheat represents a severe threat to global productivity, requiring a deep understanding of physiological adaptation mechanisms to ensure food security in the context of continuous agricultural land degradation. The study aim was to assess the impact of a salinity gradient (0–75 mM NaCl) on the dynamics of stomatal opening and chlorophyll content of the varieties Glosa, Taisa, Boema and Granny. The methodology integrated four joint classes, of which two were from detailed physiological parameters, stomatal features and chlorophyll content, and two morphological characteristics, growth visual indices and biomass allocation. All data was corroborated into an original hierarchical synthesis model presented in a multi-layered sunburst plot. The most relevant results indicate that the concentration of 45 mM NaCl represents the osmotic adjustment threshold, where the active accumulation of ions decreases the internal osmotic potential, facilitating an influx of water that maximizes guard cell turgor and, implicitly, stomatal width. Maximal physiological parameters and biomass ranked the variety Granny first, followed by Taisa. Despite stomatal increases, Boema ranked third and Glosa showed overall decreased development and the lowest plant biomass. These findings validate the use of interconnected effects analysis as a screening tool for identifying the salinity responses of wheat varieties.