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Influence of foliar-applied triacontanol on growth, gas exchange characteristics, and chlorophyll fluorescence at different growth stages in wheat under saline conditions

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Photosynthetica

Abstract

A greenhouse experiment was conducted to examine the effect of foliar application of triacontanol (TRIA) on two cultivars (cv. S-24 and MH-97) of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) at different growth stages. Plants were grown in full strength Hoagland’s nutrient solution under salt stress (150 mM NaCl) or control (0 mM NaCl) conditions. Three TRIA concentrations (0, 10, and 20 μM) were sprayed over leaves at three different growth stages, i.e. vegetative (V), boot (B), and vegetative + boot (VB) stages (two sprays on same plants, i.e., the first at 30-d-old plants and the second 78-d-old plants). Salt stress decreased significantly growth, net photosynthetic rate (P N), transpiration rate (E), chlorophyll contents (Chl a and b), and electron transport rate (ETR), while membrane permeability increased in both wheat cultivars. Stomatal conductance (g s) decreased only in salt-sensitive cv. MH-97 under saline conditions. Foliar application of TRIA at different growth stages enhanced significantly the growth, P N, g s, Chl a and b contents, and ETR, while membrane permeability was reduced in both cultivars under salt stress. Of various growth stages, foliar-applied TRIA was comparatively more effective when it was applied at V and VB stages. Overall, 10 μM TRIA concentration was the most efficient in reducing negative effects of salinity stress in both wheat cultivars. The cv. S-24 showed the better growth and ETR, while cv. MH-97 exhibited higher nonphotochemical quenching.

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Abbreviations

B:

boot stage

Chl:

chlorophyll

C i :

intracellular CO2 concentration

df:

degrees of freedom

E :

transpiration rate

EC:

electrical conductivity

ECe:

electrical conductivity of saturated-paste extract

ETR:

electron transport rate

F0 :

minimal fluorescence of dark-adapted state

Fv/Fm :

efficiency of photosystem II

FM:

fresh mass

g s :

stomatal conductance

OD:

optical density

PGRs:

plant growth regulators

P N :

net photosynthetic rate

PSII:

photosystem II

qN :

nonphotochemical quenching coefficient

qP :

photochemical quenching efficiency

RH:

relative humidity

RMP:

relative membrane permeability

TRIA:

triacontanol

V:

vegetative stage

VB:

vegetative + boot stages

WUE:

water-use efficiency

Y:

quantum yield of photosystem II

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, GC University, Faisalabad, Pakistan

    S. Perveen

  2. Department of Botany, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan

    M. Shahbaz

  3. University College of Agriculture, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan

    M. Ashraf

Authors
  1. S. Perveen
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  2. M. Shahbaz
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  3. M. Ashraf
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. Shahbaz.

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Acknowledgements: The data reported in this manuscript were taken from the thesis of Miss Shagufta Perveen, (PIN NO. 074-3756-Bm4-061), financially supported by HEC (Pakistan) through Indigenous 5000 PhD. Scholarship Program.

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Perveen, S., Shahbaz, M. & Ashraf, M. Influence of foliar-applied triacontanol on growth, gas exchange characteristics, and chlorophyll fluorescence at different growth stages in wheat under saline conditions. Photosynthetica 51, 541–551 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11099-013-0054-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11099-013-0054-x

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