SPERMIDINE AS AN ELEVATOR OF SALINITY INDUCED STRESS ON TWO VARIETIES OF TRITICUM DURUM DESF. (KARIM AND RAZZEK)

Salinity is one of the main abiotic constraints affecting crop productivity. Recently, it is reported that exogenous application of spermidine (Spd) could significantly alleviate the effect of salt stress. In this study, we aim to evaluate the effects of Spd application on salt stress resistance in two durum wheat (Triticum durum) varieties (Karim and Razzek) in Tunisia. Seedlings of both varieties were subjected to different NaCl concentrations (0, 20, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mM) in the presence and absence of 1 mM of Spd for 10 days. Results showed that Spd significantly increased the weight of both fresh and dry matter of NaCl-stressed plants. Similarly, Spd increased soluble sugars, and chlorophylls a and b contents particularly under 150 and 200 mMNaCl. However, exogenous Spd application decreased the content of proline and the activity of aminating glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) enzyme. Our analysis, suggested that the application of Spd could be used as an effective approach in alleviating the NaCl-induced toxic effect in durum wheat.