Halopriming improves vigor, metabolism of reserves and ionic contents in wheat seedlings under salt stress

Abstract

The present study was conducted to investigate whether salt tolerance may be induced in wheat at germination stage by halopriming with different inorganic salts (CaCl₂, NaCl and CaSO₄), and how far these salts affect the mobilization of different nutrients to different parts of seedlings. Seeds of two wheat cultivars (Inqlab-91 and SARC-1) were primed in 50 mmol solutions of CaCl₂, NaCl or CaSO₄ for 12 h separately and germinated under non-saline and saline (125 mmol NaCl) conditions. All seed treatments hastened germination under saline and non-saline conditions as compared to those of non-primed seeds. However, priming with CaSO₄ enhanced germination of both cultivars under saline conditions more than any other treatment. Maximum root length and fresh and dry weights were obtained in plants raised from seeds primed with CaSO₄ followed by CaCl₂. Concentrations of Na⁺ and K⁺ in seedlings obtained after priming changed significantly. However, Na⁺ was highest in seedlings raised from seeds primed with NaCl whereas the concentration of K⁺ was highest in the seedlings primed with CaSO₄. Maximum total sugars and reducing sugars were observed when seeds were treated with CaCl₂ followed by CaSO₄. In addition, SARC-1 overcame Inqlab-91 in all growth parameters of the seedlings. In conclusion, different salts used for priming in wheat seeds improved the salt stress tolerance; however, CaSO₄ and CaCl₂ proved to be the most effective priming agents in inducing salt tolerance in both wheat cultivars whereas NaCl was a less effective priming agent.