Combined and single osmopriming effects on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) performance

Abstract

Osmopriming has been shown to improve the germination and growth of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). This study explores the impact of various priming agent NaCl (3g l-1), proline (1 mM), ZnSO4 (1 mM), and their combination on wheat performance during the summer season (Jul-Aug 2022) at the greenhouse of Payame Noor University, Tabriz. Wheat seeds treated with a combination of priming agent demonstrated significantly enhanced performance compared to untreated seeds. Chlorophyll fluorescence measurements taken 35 days post-cultivation revealed a higher Photosystem Performance Index (PIabs) in osmoprimed seeds, particularly those treated with combined priming agent. Furthermore, primed plants demonstrated elevated concentrations of chlorophyll a, b, and carotenoids. Osmopriming also modulated the oxidative status of enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase (GPX), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Genetic analysis showed that osmopriming could influence the expression of NHX2, a gene linked to improving plant growth, water uptake, and yield in stress conditions.

Keywords

• priming
• antioxidant capacity
• phenolic compounds
• gene expression
• fluorescence
• wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)