Wheat and barley mutants selected in hydroponics by root and/or coleoptile characteristics and their relationship with water stress

In order to produce a collection of lines with putative mutations related with response to water stress and root characteristics, of two bread wheat varieties were treated with three different mutagens. Approximately 50000 M2 seeds per variety were germinated in plastic boxes with high osmotic NaCl solutions. Putative mutant seedlings with changes in morphological characteristics of roots and coleoptile were selected and further tested in M3 and M4 generations. Nine M5 families with increased tolerance to NaCl or artificial drought (polyethylene glycol solutions) at four leaf stage were selected. Three families which presented the highest tolerance to drought and the highest capacity for maintaining water content under temporary drought conditions are considered the most interesting for further studies. Additionally, a barley mutant that shows a differential root behavior under hydroponic conditions is briefly described. (author)