A Lysimeter scale experiment was conducted to determine the effect of elevated salinity on growth parameters and changes in biochemical attributes in 15 days old barley lines PK-30108 and Haider-93 in gravel using NaCl concentrations {EC: 5 (Control), 7.5 and 15 dS m -1 ) in 25% Hoagland nutrients solution. Under increased salinity stress both the barley lines underwent significant decrease in shoot and root dry biomass, chlorophyll (a, b and total) and total sugars whereas a significant increase in total amino acids and NIRA was recorded. The reduction was significantly more pronounced at EC 15 dS m-1 than EC 7.5 dS m-1 and the control. The line PK-30108 proved significantly more salt tolerant than the cultivar Haider-93 in respect of shoot and root biomass up to EC 7.5 dS m -1 while both remained similar at EC 15 dS m-1 . The NRA was found to be unaffected in line Haider 93 but was reduced significantly in line PK-30108 with elevating salinity levels. The parameters could be used as biochemical markers for investigating the elevated salinity effects on barley varieties.
