FOLIAR APPLIED OF SALICYLIC ACID ALLEVIATED THE DETRIMENTAL EFFECTS OF DROUGHT ON VARIOUS GENOTYPES OF WHEAT (TRITICUMA ESTIVIUM L.)

Drought is a global problem, limiting world crop production seriously and current global climate change has made this situation worst. This study was designed to assess the potential of salicylic acid (SA) as a growth promoter to counteract the detrimental impacts of drought on five wheat (Triticum estivum L.) genotypes (NlA-Sarang, NlA-Sundar, NlA-Zarkhaiz, Khirman (check) and TD-1). Two concentrations of SA (0.7 and I.44m M) were used and the spray was done at vegetative stage. Water deficit was imposed as terminal drought i.e no irrigation was applied except soaking dose. Generally wheat genotypes showed differential responses at two levels of SA. Most of the genotypes had enhanced proline accumulation at both levels of SA in comparison with the control treatment of no spray of SA. The genotype NlA-Sunder exhibited highest increase of 264.26 fold and 271.08 fold at 0.7 mM and I.44 rnM respectively, indicating the potential of the genotype to manage with the drought environment. Osmotic potential (MPa) was generally decreased under drought environment with both spray of SA, however higher decrease (more-vevalues) in the O.P was observed at 0.7 mM SA as compared to I.44 mM SA. Potassium (K) accumulation was reduced under drought stress. However less decrease was observed in the genotypes at the level of 0.7 mM, while more accumulation of Potassium was observed at 1.44 mM under drought stress. Grain weight (g plant(-1)) was also seriously affected under drought. However the genotype NlA-Sarang (27.64 g plant(-1)) and TD-I (29.40 g plant(-1)) at 0.7 mM and NlA-Sarang (23.11 g plant(-1)) and Khirman (36.17 g plant(-1)) at 1.44 mM exhibited comparatively low reduction. It was concluded from this study that spray of SA alleviated the detrimental impacts of drought with genotypic variations as recorded.