Differences in Proline Content and Osmotic Potential in Spring Barley Varieties grown under Saline Conditions

In the experiment the effect of salination in six varieties of spring barley was monitored. Both modern varieties (Jersey, Malz, Krone and Amulet) and older varieties (Valticky and Norimberk) were used for the experiments. The plants were cultivated under controlled conditions in an air conditioned chamber using hydroponics. The older variety Norimberk showed the lowest osmotic potential under the salinity conditions, whereas in modern varieties Malz and Krone the highest osmotic potential was found. An increase in proline content in the treated variants compared to the controls was recorded for all monitored spring barley variants under the salination conditions. The highest proline content was shown for older varieties Norimberk and Valticky as well as the modern variety Jersey. A positive correlation between the proline content and osmotic potential in the leaves of spring barley were cultivated under the conditions of salination was observed