Screening of Wheat Genotypes under Drought and Salinity Stresses During Germination and Seedling Traits

Muhammaed Jawad Husain; Kamil M.  AL-Jobori

doi:10.30526/38.3.3743

Authors

Muhammaed Jawad Husain Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology for Postgraduate Studies, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq. https://orcid.org/0009-0008-3315-7000
Kamil M. AL-Jobori Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology for Postgraduate Studies, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9329-3775

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30526/38.3.3743

Keywords:

Combined stress(D+S), Germination traits, Seedling growth traits

Abstract

This study examines wheat genotypes under combined and single drought and salinity stresses, assessing germination and seedling growth traits, as environmental issues like high salinity and drought significantly impact plant life.. The experiment was carried out to meet these goals. To identify the most and least tolerant genotypes, 16 genotypes were tested. Water potentials of 0. -0.5, -1.0, -1.5, and -2.0Mpa were used as treatments to create water stress by adding polyethylene glycol (PEG-6000) and sodium chloride together(D+S). After 15 days of putting seeds in Petri dishes, growth parameters were assessed, including germination percentage (%), speed of emergence (%), seedling vigour index, shoot length (cm), and fresh and dried weight of shoot, root, and whole seedling (g). Results showed that all genotypes demonstrated a decrease in germination and biomass with an increase in stress-induced water stress, where germination (%) and biomass are inversely correlated with combined stress. While the genotypes Babil, Hashimia, Baraka, Buhooth 158, Tamooz 3, and Uruk did not germinate at -2.0 MPa, Latyfia showed better germination (76.66%), higher speed of emergence (81.93%), seedling vigor index (5.70), seedling length (7.50 cm), root and seedling fresh weight (0.0450 and 0.0650 g) and root and seedling dry weight (0.0312 and 0.0411 g). Iba99 exhibited the lowest values in the majority of traits at -2.0 MPa. In conclusion, each genotype behaved differently in response to salinity, drought, or levels of combined stresses during germination. The genotype Latifya performed better in the study compared to the other genotypes because it was better able to endure the effects of these stresses. Consequently, it can be utilized as breeding stock to increase the wheat crop's tolerance to salinity and drought. The study's findings increase knowledge of how plants react to challenges like salt, drought, and both in combinationز

Author Biographies

Muhammaed Jawad Husain, Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology for Postgraduate Studies, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq.

Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology for Postgraduate Studies, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq.
Kamil M. AL-Jobori, Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology for Postgraduate Studies, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq.

Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology for Postgraduate Studies, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq.

References

1. Qamer Z, Chaudhary MT, Du X, Hinze L, Azhar MT. Review of oxidative stress and antioxidative defense mechanisms in Gossypium hirsutum L. in response to extreme abiotic conditions. J Cotton Res. 2021;4:9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42397-021-00086-4

2. Ma Y, Dias MC, Freitas H. Drought and salinity stress responses and microbe-induced tolerance in plants. Front Plant Sci. 2020;11:591911. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2020.591911

3. Wen W, Timmermans J, Chen Q, van Bodegom PM. Monitoring the combined effects of drought and salinity stress on crops using remote sensing. Hydrol Earth Syst Sci. 2022;26:4537–4552. https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-4537-2022

4. Poudel R, Finnie S, Rose DJ. Effects of wheat kernel germination time and drying temperature on compositional and end-use properties of the resulting whole wheat flour. J Cereal Sci. 2019;86:33–40.

5. Koornneef M, Bentsink L, Hilhorst H. Seed dormancy and germination. Curr Opin Plant Biol. 2002;5(1):33–36. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1369-5266(01)00219-9

6. Liu Y, Han C, Deng X, Liu D, Liu N, Yan Y. Integrated physiology and proteome analysis of embryo and endosperm highlights complex metabolic networks involved in seed germination in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). J Plant Physiol. 2018;229:63–76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jplph.2018.06.011.

7. Shah T, Latif S, Khan H, Munsif F, Nie L. Ascorbic acid priming enhances seed germination and seedling growth of winter wheat under low temperature due to late sowing in Pakistan. Agronomy. 2019;9:757. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy9120757.

8. Abido WAE, Zsombik L. Effect of water stress on germination of some Hungarian wheat landraces. Shengtai Xuebao Acta Ecol Sin. 2020;38:422–428. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chnaes.2018.03.004.

9. Mahpara S, Zainab A, Ullah R, Kausar S, Bilal M, Latif MI. The impact of PEG-induced drought stress on seed germination and seedling growth of different bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes. PLoS One. 2022;17(2):e0262937. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0262937

10. Yan M, Xue C, Xiong Y, Meng X, Li B, Shen R. Proteomic dissection of the similar and different responses of wheat to drought, salinity and submergence during seed germination. J Proteomics. 2020;220:103756. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jprot.2020.103756

11. Khaeim H, Kende Z, Balla I, Gyuricza C, Eser A, Tarnawa Á. The effect of temperature and water stresses on seed germination and seedling growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Sustainability. 2022;14:3887. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14073887.

12. Farooq S, Onen H, Ozaslan C, Baskin CC, Gunal H. Seed germination niche for common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) populations naturalized in Turkey. S Afr J Bot. 2019;123:361–371. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2019.03.031.

13. Muhu-Din Ahmed HG, Zeng Y, Shah AN, Majid Yar M, Ullah Z, Ali M. Conferring of drought tolerance in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes using seedling indices. Front Plant Sci. 2022;13:961049. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.961049

14. Alam H, Khattak JZK, Ksiksi TS. Comparative effects of NaCl and polyethylene glycol on seed germination of four native species for landscaping under arid environment. Sarhad J Agric. 2020;36(2):655–657. http://dx.doi.org/10.17582/journal.sja/2020/36.2.655.667.

15. Fellahi ZEA, Zaghdoudi H, Bensaadi H, Boutalbi W, Hannachi A. Assessment of salt stress effect on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars at seedling stage. Agric Conspect Sci. 2019;84(4):347–355.

16. Al-Temimi AH, Abed ZA. Evaluation the performance and stability of cowpea selected generations under drought tolerance. Iraqi J Agric Sci. 2016;47(3). https://doi.org/10.36103/ijas.v47i3.569.

17. Al-Jobori KM, Al-Waiely MM. Screening of Iraqi wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes against salinity at early growth stage: studies in hydroponic culture. Int J Agric Biol Res. 2017;7(3):524–534.

18. Berger B, de Regt B, Tester M. Trait dissection of salinity tolerance with plant phenomics. In: Shabala S, editor. Plant Salt Tolerance: Methods and Protocols. Totowa (NJ): Humana Press; 2012. p. 399–413.

19. Asfaw KG, Danno FI. Effects of salinity on days to heading, days from heading to maturity and days to maturity of tef (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter) accessions and varieties in Ethiopia. Asian J Agric Sci. 2011;3(4):250–256.

20. Michel BE, Kaufmann MR. The osmotic potential of polyethylene glycol 6000. Plant Physiol. 1973;51(5):914–916. https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.51.5.914.

21. El Harfi M, Hanine H, Rizki H, Latrache H, Nabloussi A. Effect of drought and salt stresses on germination and early seedling growth of different color-seeds sesame (Sesamum indicum). Int J Agric Biol. 2016;18:1088–1094.

22. International Seed Testing Association (ISTA). The Germination Test. In: International Rules for Seed Testing. Bassersdorf (Switzerland): ISTA; 2015. p. 5-1–5-6.

23. Zewdie T, Welka K. Effect of micropyle orientation on germination of Millettia ferruginea and Delonix regia. Ecol Process. 2015;4(12):1–7. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13717-015-0036-7

24. Gowda B, Naik K, Rakesh A, Mathad C, Raghu BN, Lokesh GY. Seed germination and vigour index as influenced by method of testing in Kabuli chickpea. Indian J Pure Appl Biosci. 2019;7(6):356–361.

25. Nazeer H, Rauf M, Gul H, Yaseen T, Shah AA, Rehman KU. Salt stress affects germination and seedling establishment in different wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties. J Pure Appl Agric. 2020;5:42–51.

26. Begum N, Hasanuzzaman M, Li Y, Akhtar K, Zhang C, Zhao T. Seed germination behavior, growth, physiology and antioxidant metabolism of four contrasting cultivars under combined drought and salinity in soybean. Antioxidants. 2022;11:498. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox11030498

27. SAS Institute. SAS/STAT User’s Guide. Version 9.1. Cary (NC): SAS Institute Inc.; 2012.

28. Gašparovič K, Živčák M, Brestič M, Hauptvogel P. Diversity of leaf cuticular transpiration and growth traits in field-grown wheat and Aegilops genetic resources. Agronomy. 2021;11:522. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11030522

29. da Silva LJ, de Medeiros AD, Oliveira AMS. SeedCalc, a new automated R software tool for germination and seedling length data processing. J Seed Sci. 2019;41:250–257. https://doi.org/10.1590/2317-1545v42n2217267.

30. Yassin M, El Sabagh A, Mekawy AMM, Islam MS, Hossain M, Barutcular C. Comparative performance of two bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes under salinity stress. Appl Ecol Environ Res. 2019;17:5029–5041. https://doi.org/10.15666/aeer/1703_50295041

31. Awan SA, Khan I, Rizwan M, Zhang X, Brestic M, Khan A. Exogenous abscisic acid and jasmonic acid restrain polyethylene glycol–induced drought by improving the growth and antioxidative enzyme activities in pearl millet. Physiol Plant. 2021;172:809–819. https://doi.org/10.1111/ppl.13391

32. Hefny YAM, Mohamed NE, Abdelraoof AO, Sleem HA. Germination parameters of some bread wheat genotypes under drought stress conditions. SVU Int J Agric Sci. 2020;2(2):226–241. https://doi.org/10.21608/svuijas.2020.40227.1029.

33. Delachiave MEA, de Pinho SZ. Germination of Senna occidentalis Link seeds at different osmotic potential levels. Braz Arch Biol Technol. 2023;46(2):163–166. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1516-89132003000200004.

34. Khatun M, Hafiz MHR, Hasan MA, Hakim MA, Siddiqiui MN. Response of wheat genotypes to salt stress in relation to germination and seedling growth. Int J Bioresour Stress Manag. 2013;4(4):635–640.

35. Jovović M, Tunguz V, Mirosavljević M, Pržulj N. Effect of salinity and drought stress on germination and early seedling growth of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Genetika. 2018;50(1):285–298. https://vaseljena.ues.rs.ba/handle/123456789/544.

36. Khan AA. Preplanting physiological seed conditioning. Hortic Rev. 1993;20:131–181.

37. Bhutto TA, Gola AQ, Bhutto MH, Wahocho SA, Buriro M, Wahocho NA. Evaluation of wheat varieties to salt stress (NaCl) for seed germination and early seedling growth under laboratory conditions. Pure Appl Biol. 2019;8(1):609–618.

38. Baloch MJ, Dunwell J, Khakwani AZ, Dennett M, Jatoi WA, Channa SA. Assessment of wheat cultivars for drought tolerance via osmotic stress imposed at early seedling growth stage. J Agric Res. 2012;50(3):299–310.

39. Pour-Aboghadareh A, Mehrvar MR, Sanjani S, Amini A, Chaman-Abad HN, Asadi A. Effects of salinity stress on seedling biomass, physiochemical properties and grain yield in different breeding wheat genotypes. Res Sq. 2021;1–17. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-258193/v1

40. Yu L, Dong H, Li Z, Han Z, Korpelainen H, Li C. Species-specific responses to drought, salinity and their interactions in Populus euphratica and P. pruinosa seedlings. J Plant Ecol. 2020;13:563–573. https://doi.org/10.1093/jpe/rtz030

41. Ahmed HGM D, Zeng Y, Shah AN, Yar MM, Ullah A, Ali M. Conferring of drought tolerance in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes using seedling indices. Front Plant Sci. 2022;13:961049. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.961049

42. Soni P, Sharma R, Rizwan M, Singh G. Optimization of screening protocol for evaluation of drought tolerance in Vigna aconitifolia using hydroponic system. Indian Res J Genet Biotechnol. 2014;6(4):617–628.

43. Othmani O, Ayed S, Slama-Ayed O, Slim-Amara H, Younes MB. Durum wheat response (Triticum durum Desf.) to drought stress under laboratory conditions. IOSR J Agric Vet Sci. 2019;12(2):1–4. https://doi.org/10.9790/2380-1202010104.

44. Coons MJ, Kuehl RO, Simons NR. Tolerance of ten lettuce cultivars to high temperature combined with NaCl during germination. J Am Soc Hortic Sci. 1990;115:1004–1007.

45. Kizilgeci F, Mokhtari NEP, Hossain A. Growth and physiological traits of five bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes are influenced by different levels of salinity and drought stress. Fresen Environ Bull. 2020;29(9):8592–8599