Comprehensive evaluation of saline-alkali tolerance in different wheat (Triticum aestivum) varieties throughout the entire growth cycle

To investigate the salt tolerance of different wheat varieties and identify those suitable for cultivation in saline-alkali soil, 64 predominantly promoted wheat varieties were cultivated in artificial salt ponds. This study aimed to analyze the effects of salt stress on wheat during different growth stages. Correlation analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), and cluster analysis were conducted on eight agronomic traits of these 64 wheat varieties to evaluate their salt tolerance. The results indicated that yield and effective panicle number exhibited the highest coefficients of variation. Correlation analysis revealed a positive relationship between panicle length and both yield and plant height, as well as a strong positive correlation between yield and effective panicle number. Through PCA and clustering methods, the 64 wheat varieties were categorized into five main groups, while the eight agronomic traits were consolidated into three key principal components.