Waterlogging effects on elemental composition of wheat genotypes in sodic soils

Waterlogging + sodicity proved more harmful than sodic or waterlogging stress individually. Wheat genotypes were evaluated for waterlogging tolerance in neutral (pH 7.8) and sodic (pH 9.3) soils. There was 50% greater reduction in overall grain yield when genotypes were waterlogged for 15 days in sodic soil than in neutral soil. This was associated with proportional reductions in biomass and productive tillers. Severe effects of waterlogging were observed on grain yield in sodic soil and the extent of damage depends heavily on the stage of development, duration, and temperature. Waterlogging reduced the concentration of macro elements (K, Ca, and Mg), whereas effects on microelements concentration were mixed, with some elements increasing (Fe, Al, Mn, and Na) and others decreasing (Cu and Zn). Significant genotypic variation was observed for grain yield and biomass under the stress treatments and KRL 3–4, KRL 99, KRL 210, and Kharchia 65 were the top performers.