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Effect of Hormone-Directed Presoaking on Emergence and Growth of Osmotically Stressed Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Seeds

The water potential gradient between a planted seed and the surrounding soil largely controls water absorption by the seed. Salinity of soil water affects this balance, which in turn lowers germination and seedling growth. Overcoming the inhibition of water intake by presoaking and the use of auxins and gibberellins has been shown to be advantageous for certain crops,but studies with wheat are limited. This approach constitutes the objectives of this investigation.

The effects of presoaking wheat seeds in 10, 20, 50, and 100 ppm each of GA, IB A, IAA, and NAA at O, 3, 6, and 9 atm osmotic pressure on seedling development were observed. Auxins had little influence on emergence at 0 atm but promoted emergence at 3, 6, and 9 atm. Three-indole acetic acid (IAA) and — naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) at 50 ppm produced maximum shoot length, whereas gibberellic acid (GA) and three-indole-butyric acid (IBA) gave better results at 100 ppm. Increased concentrations of GA and NAA significantly reduced primary root length, whereas IAA increased root length. All hormones increased proliferation of lateral roots, but auxins produced more lateral roots at all salinity levels. Root/shoot ratio was decreased by NAA and GA. Water absorption was increased by all treatments. IAA and NAA at 50 ppm gave the better results. The data support the hypothesis that the beneficial effects of hormones may be the result of increased water absorption, which improves plant growth even under high salt concentrations hi the growth medium.

Key Words: Hormone effect under saline conditions • Auxins • Gibberellins

Received for publication January 24, 1972.