Relative growth rate of wheat seedlings as effected by PEG-stimulated drought and various concentrations of plant growth regulators

Abstract

Presently effect of different concentrations of trehalose (Tre@1mM and [email protected]) and Glycine betaine (GB@50 and GB@100mM) along with the cytokinins [Kinetin (Kn) @40mg/l and Benzyl adenine (BA)@50mg/L] on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings under PEG-6000 caused drought stress was studied. For that four wheat genotypes viz HD2967, PBW660, WH1105 and PBW658 were sown in petri-plates with distilled water followed by supply of PEG-6000 on 3rd day to cause the drought of -0.4Mpa. Drought stress significantly reduced the relative growth rate (RGR) and vigour index (VI) of all studied wheat genotypes. Reduction in stability of cell membrane and cell viability was also recorded. Foliar application of trehalose and glycine betaine along with kinetin and benzyl adenine significantly increased the RGR and VI of all genotypes and increase in cell viability and stability of cell membranes was also increased. Among all the tested concentrations Kn@40mg/L along with [email protected] had more positive impact in amelioration of bad effect of PEG-induced drought stress.