ALLEVIATING THE DELETERIOUS EFFECTS OF SALT STRESS ON WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.) BY FOLIAR APPLICATION OF GIBBERELLIC ACID AND SALICYLIC ACID

Plant growth regulators gibberellic acid (GA(3)) and salicylic acid (SA) were applied in the form of foliar spray to two varieties of wheat viz., Anaj-2017 and Ujala-2016 to alleviate the deleterious effects of soil salinity. Salt was applied at the concentration of 150mM after 2 weeks of seed germination. Ten treatments including control were used; T0 (control), T1 (150 mM NaCl), T2 (0.5 mM SA), T3 (1.0 mM SA), T4 (100 mg/L GA(3)), T5 (150 mg/L GA(3)), T6 (150 mM NaCl+0.5 mM SA), T7 (150 mM NaCl+1.0 mM SA), T8 (150 mM NaCl+100 mg/L GA(3)), T9 (150 mM NaCl+150 mg/L GA(3)). GA(3) and SA were applied after one week of salinity stress and repeated thrice. Morphophysiological, biochemical, and yield parameters were recorded. Findings revealed that both growth regulators promote the growth of plants treated with salt stress. Anthocyanin was promoted by 0.0035% at 100 mg/L GA(3) while glycine betaine was also enhanced by 0.26% in Ujala-2016 at 150 mg/L. It was noted that 1.0 mM salicylic acid and 150 mg/L gibberellic acid enhanced significantly various growth parameters. In conclusion, concentration of 0.1 mM SA and 150 mg/L GA(3) along variety Ujala-2016 recommended for the alleviation of salt stress with better growth and yield for future cultivation.