Some Physiological and Biochemical Effects of Bacillus thuringiensis LU3 Biopriming in Common Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under Salt Stress

Salt stress is one of the main abiotic stresses limiting sustainable crop production in the world. Biopriming is the technique involving the use of beneficial and environmentally friendly biological agents to improve the physiological functioning of seeds. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are found in the rhizosphere of plants and have the potential to cope with salinity stress. In this study, the effects of Bacillus thuringiensis LU3 (Bt LU3) biopriming application on two common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties (Sultan-95 and Tosunbey) under salt stress (0, 100 and 200 mM NaCI) on physiological (root and shoot length, biomass, dry weight, specific leaf area (SLA)), and biochemical parameters (pigment content, total protein content, hydrogen peroxide content (H2O2), lipid peroxidation content (TBARS) and antioxidant enzyme activities (peroxidase activity (POX), glutathione reductase activity (GR))) were investigated. As a result, it was determined that salt-sensitive Sultan-95 had better growth with Bt LU3 biopriming compared to salt-tolerant Tosunbey.