Soil Salinity Differentiates Winter Triticale Genotypes in Physiological and Biochemical Characteristics of Seedlings and Consequently Their Yield.

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that both the winter triticale genotype and salinity treatment influence the photosynthesis efficiency and content of metabolites and proteins, including antioxidant enzymes, under field conditions, as well as that these parameters are correlated with yielding capacity. The research material involved four genotypes differing in their tolerance to stress in previous tests. Chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and antioxidant activity were assessed in the seedlings. Specific antibodies were then used to verify the involvement of selected proteins. Simultaneously, Raman spectroscopy was employed to detect chlorophyll, carotenoids, phenolic compounds, and protein levels. The findings suggest that improved PSII performance, reduced catalase activity, increased pigment levels, and higher thioredoxin reductase abundance in the seedlings were associated with better yield potential in triticale genotypes grown under salt stress conditions. The Raman analysis revealed that salinity caused changes in the photosynthetic pigments, particularly carotenoids. The carbon isotope ratios indicate that the salinization generated different physiological stresses in the availability of water.