PJB-2023-430
THIOUREA-INDUCED AMELIORATION OF SALINITY STRESS EFFECTS ON BARLEY (HORDEUM VULGARE L.): A STUDY IN RESILIENCE
Maliha Amjad
Abstract
Thiourea (TU) plays an important role in mitigating the negative effects of salinity on plants by altering various biological mechanisms in plants. In this experiment, two barley varieties (Joe millet and Pearl millet) were sprayed with TU (10 and 30 mM) under salt stress (120 mM). Various physiological and biochemical attributes were studied. Results showed that salinity reduced all studied growth parameters, photosynthetic attributes, organic osmolytes and increased antioxidants and potassium and calcium contents in both barley varieties. Despite the increase in Na+ content, the toxicity of Na+ led to a decrease in K+ and Ca2+ levels. The foliar application of TU exhibited greater enhancement of growth parameters in Pearl Millet, except for root length, where Joe Millet exhibited greater growth This application resulted in a reduction in the Na+/K+ ratio and an increase in the concentrations of photosynthetic pigments, organic osmolytes, antioxidants, potassium, and calcium. Among the genotypes, Pearl Millet (which is salt-tolerant) displayed superior antioxidant activity compared to Joe Millet (which is salt-sensitive). Overall, both barley varieties exhibited divergent responses across different parameters under both saline and non-saline conditions. In summary, the exogenous application of TU at a concentration of 30 mM was particularly effective in mitigating oxidative stress and promoting salinity tolerance in the barley plants.
To Cite this article:
Download
