IMPROVEMENT IN GROWTH, YIELD AND …prr.hec.gov.pk/jspui/bitstream/123456789/7589/1/Hamid...2017/04/26  · I wish to express sincere appreciation to my cute brothers, Engineer Mian

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IMPROVEMENT IN GROWTH, YIELD AND ANTIOXIDANT STATUS

OF WHEAT WITH EXOGENOUS APPLICATION OF GROWTH

ENHANCERS UNDER DROUGHT STRESS CONDITIONS

By

HAMID NAWAZ

A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the

requirement for the degree of

Doctor of Philosophy

in

Agronomy

DEPARTMENT OF AGRONOMY FACULTY OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY

BAHAUDDIN ZAKARIYA UNIVERSITY MULTAN

PAKISTAN

2016

iii

DECELARATION OF ORIGINALITY

I hereby declare that the data and the intellectual contents of this dissertation are the product of

my own work. The thesis entitled "Improvement in growth, yield and antioxidant status of

wheat with exogenous application of growth enhancers under drought stress conditions"

for the award of Ph.D. Degree in Agronomy has not been submitted to any university within

Pakistan or abroad. This thesis has neither been previously published in any form nor does it

contain any verbatim of the published resources which could be treated as infringement of the

international copyright law. The university may take action if the information provided is found

inaccurate at any stage. I am aware that in case of any default, I may be proceeded against as per

HEC plagiarism policy.

Hamid Nawaz,

Ph.D. Scholar,

Department of Agronomy,

Bahauddin Zakariya University,

Multan-60800, Pakistan.

We certify that the above statement is correct.

Dr. Nazim Hussain,

Professor/ Supervisor

Department of Agronomy,

Bahauddin Zakariya University,

Multan-60800, Pakistan.

Dr. Azra Yasmeen,

Associate Professor/ Co-Supervisor

Department of Agronomy,

Bahauddin Zakariya University,

Multan-60800, Pakistan.

Chairman

iv

To,

The Controller of Examinations,

Bahauddin Zakariya University,

Multan, Pakistan.

We, the supervisory committee, certify that contents and form of this thesis entitled

“Improvement in growth, yield and antioxidant status of wheat with exogenous

application of growth enhancers under drought stress conditions” submitted by Mr.

Hamid Nawaz Ph.D. (Scholar) have been found satisfactory and recommend that it be

processed for evaluation by the External Examiner(s) for the award of PhD degree.

Professor Nazim Hussain

Supervisor-I

Dr. Azra Yasmeen

Supervisor-II

Professor Hakoomat Ali

Ex-officio member

Dr. Muhammad Farooq

External Examiner

Associate Professor

Department of Agronomy,

Faculty of Agriculture

University of Agriculture Faisalabad

Pakistan (38040).

[email protected]

[email protected]

0300 7108652

Chairman

v

DEDICATION

I dedicate this thesis to my respectful Dad Mian Haq Nawaz, my

loveable Mom Kausar Nawaz and my humble supervisor Professor

Nazim Hussain and my modest Mam Dr. Azra Yasmeen who have

always been my nearest and reverse neighbor. It is their unconditional

love and grooming that engraved in me setting higher targets and striving

to achieve these.

vi

Acknowledgements

I offer my humblest thanks from the deepest core of my heart to “Almighty Allah” who created

the universe and bestowed the mankind with knowledge and wisdom to research for its secrets.

I bow before his compassionate endowments. I pay homage to Holy Prophet Muhammad

(P.B.U.H.), the most perfect and exalted among us who are forever a source of knowledge and

guidance for humanity as a whole.

I feel highly privileged to express my heartiest gratitude to my worthy supervisor and Chairman

Dr. Nazim Hussain Labar, Professor, Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agricultural

Sciences and Technology, Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, Pakistan for his keen

personal interest, dynamic supervision, immense cooperation, valuable suggestions, unfailing

patience and constructive and financial support during the study.

My special thanks are owed to my co-supervisor Dr. Azra Yasmeen, Associate Professor,

Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Bahauddin

Zakariya University Multan, Pakistan, for his cooperative attitude, constant help, valuable

suggestions and criticism towards the completion of this manuscript.

I am grateful to Professor Dr. Muhammad Bismillah Khan, Professor Dr. Hakoomat Ali,

and Dr. Shakeel Ahmad, Associate Professor Department of Agronomy, for provision of

facilities and ideal working environment for the completion of my work at Faculty of

Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan Pakistan.

I also extend my sincere words of admiration and appreciation to my sincere teachers and

seniors friends Dr. Syed Asad Hussain Bukhari, Dr. Haseeb-ur-Rehman, Dr. Nauman

Shabir, Dr, Baqir Hussain, Dr. Shahid Hussain and Dr. Attique-ur-Rehman who

supported me throughout my write up and Ph.D. degree award.

I wish to express sincere appreciation to my cute brothers, Engineer Mian Amir Nawaz and

Eesa Labar, sisters, Saria Nawaz and Maria Nawaz, my sweet niece Wajiha Nawaz and

Nephew Furqan Nawaz and other family members for their prayers of a brilliant future. I don’t

find words to thank Dad and Mom for noble sacrifice, innocent prays and endless cooperation.

Without their love, encouragement and understanding, this endeavor would not have been

possible.

Special thanks to Directorate of Research Wing. Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan,

for financial support for the smooth running of the project.

Hamid Nawaz

vii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Dissertation Title page ii

Deceleration of originality iii

Controller examination letter iv

Dedication v

Acknowledgements vi

Abstract 1

Dissertation Abbreviation 3

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 5

CHAPTER 2 REVIEW OF LITERATURE 9

2.1 Wheat and its insecurity in Pakistan 9

2.2 Environmental stresses 10

2.3 Response to stress and its extent on plant function 10

2.4 Drought 11

2.5 Response of plant under drought stress 11

2.6 ROS as an Oxidative stress agent 12

2.7 Antioxidants defense system in plants 13

2.8 Screening of tolerance wheat cultivars 14

2.9 Irrigation water regimes at critical growth stages of wheat 14

2.10 PICTORIAL REVIEW OF CRITICAL STAGES AT

VEGETATIVE AND REPRODUCTIVE GROWTH IN WHEAT

FOR IRRIGATION WATER REGIMES

2.11 Abstract 16

2.12 Introduction 17

2.13 Critical growth stages 18

2.13.1 Germination 18

2.13.2 Seedling elongation with tillering establishment stages 18

2.13.3 Stem Elongation 19

2.13.4 Booting stage 21

2.13.5 Head Emergence 22

2.13.6 Anthesis or flowering 23

2.13.7 Milk Development 24

2.13.8 Dough Development 25

viii

2.13.9 Ripening 26

2.13.10 Harvesting 26

2.14 Conclusion 28

2.15 Exogenous application of plant growth enhancers 28

2.16 Seed priming techniques 28

2.17 Foliar technique 31

2.18 Moringa oleifera 32

2.19 Moringa leaf extract (MLE) 33

CAPTER 3 GROWTH, YIELD AND ANTIOXIDANTS STATUS OF WHEAT

CULTIVARS UNDER WATER DEFICIT CONDITIONS

3.1 Abstract 35

3.2 Introduction 36

3.3 Materials and Methods 37

3.3.1 Experimental layout 37

3.3.2 Emergence %age 37

3.3.3 Emergence index (GI) 38

3.3.4 Time to 50% Emergence (T50%) 38

3.3.5 Growth and yield 38

3.3.6 Biochemical analysis 38

3.3.7 Grain SDS-PAGE 38

3.3.8 Statistical Analysis 39

3.4 Results 28

3.5 Discussion 39

3.6 Conclusion 40

CAPTER 4 SEED PRIMING: A POTENTIAL STRATAGEM FOR

AMELIORATING IRRIGATION WATER DEFICIT IN WHEAT

4.1 Abstract 48

4.2 Introduction 49

4.3 Material and methods 50

4.3.1 Plant material 50

4.3.2 Experimental layout 50

4.3.3 Seed priming 51

4.3.4 Irrigation water Deficits 51

4.3.5 Enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants 51

ix

4.3.6 Chlorophyll contents and mineral nutrients 51

4.3.7 Plant allometry 51

4.3.8 Yield and yield components 52

4.3.9 Economic analysis 52

4.3.10 Statistical analysis 52

4.4 Results 52

4.5 Discussion 54

4.6 Conclusion 57

CAPTER 5 EXOGENOUS APPLICATION OF GROWTH ENHANCERS

MITIGATE WATER STRESS IN WHEAT BY ANTIOXIDANT

ELEVATION

5.1 Abstract 78

5.2 Introduction 79

5.3 Material and methods 80

5.4 Results 82

5.4.1 Plant growth and development 82

5.4.2 Antioxidants activities 82

5.4.3 Leaf chlorophyll contents 83

5.4.4 Leaf K+ content 83

5.4.5 Yield and yield components 83

5.4.6 Economic analysis 84

5.5 Discussion 84

5.6 Conclusion 86

CAPTER 6 Findings of dissertation 108

References 110

Appendix 130

Curriculum vitae 140

x

LIST OF FIGURES Figure 2.1 The generation of ROS molecules by injurious reduction process of

molecular oxygen 13

Figure 2.2 Role of antioxidants contents in ROS scavenging mechanism 15

Figure 2.3 Germination phases during wheat growth stages Nick Poole, (2009) 19

Figure 2.4 Seedling elongation with tillering establishment phases during wheat

growth stages Nick Poole, (2009)

20

Figure 2.5 Seedling establishment phases during wheat growth stages Nick Poole,

(2009)

21

Figure 2.6 Booting phases during wheat growth stages Nick Poole, (2009) 22

Figure 2.7 Heading phases during wheat growth stages Nick Poole, (2009) 23

Figure 2.8 Anthesis phases during wheat growth stages Nick Poole, (2009) 24

Figure 2.9 Milk development phases during wheat growth stages Nick Poole,

(2009)

25

Figure 2.10 Dough development phases during wheat growth stages Nick Poole,

(2009)

26

Figure 2.11 Ripening phases during wheat growth stages Nick Poole, (2009) 27

Figure 2.12 Harvesting phase during wheat growth stages Nick Poole, (2009) 27

Figure 2.13 Comparing the germination process by normal seed and primed seed

(Harris et al., 2007)

30

Figure 3.1 Monthly averages of metrological data for growing period of wheat crop

during 2012-2013

42

Figure 3.2 Protein profiling of wheat genotypes in response to drought stress

conditions.

47

Figure 4.1 Meteorological data for crop growing period during the year 2013-2015 57

Figure 4.2 Influence of different seed priming agents on leaf area index (LAI) of

wheat cultivars under applied irrigation water deficit conditions ±S.E

during 2013-2014 (Year-I), 2014-2015 (Year-II)

58

Figure 4.3 Influence of different seed priming agents on seasonal leaf area duration

(SLAD) (days) of wheat cultivars under applied irrigation water deficit

conditions ±S.E during 2013-2014 (Year-I), 2014-2015 (Year-II)

59

Figure 4.4 Influence of different seed priming agents on crop growth rate (CGR) g

m-2 day-1) of wheat cultivars under applied irrigation water deficit

conditions ±S.E during 2013-2014 (Year-I), 2014-2015 (Year-II)

60

Figure 4.5 Influence of different seed priming agents on net assimilation rate

(NAR) g m-2 day-1) of wheat cultivars under irrigation water deficit

conditions ±S.E during 2013-2014 (Year-I), 2014-2015 (Year-II)

61

xi

Figure 5.1 Meteorological data for growing period of crops during the years 2013-

2015

87

Figure 5.2 Influence of foliar application of growth enhancers on leaf area index

(LAI) of wheat cultivars under irrigation water-regimes ±SE 2013-14

(Year-I), 2014-15 (Year-II)

88

Figure 5.3 Influence of foliar application of growth enhancers on seasonal leaf area

duration (SLAD) of wheat cultivars under different irrigation water-

regimes ±SE 2013-14 (Year-I), 2014-15 (Year-II)

89

Figure 5.4 Influence of foliar application of growth enhancers on crop growth rate

(CGR) (g m-2 day-1) of wheat cultivars under irrigation water-regimes

±SE 2013-14 (Year-I), 2014-15 (Year-II)

90

Figure 5.5 Influence of foliar application of growth enhancers on net assimilation

rate (NAR) g m-2 day-1) of wheat cultivars under irrigation water-

regimes ±SE 2013-14 (Year-I), 2014-15 (Year-II)

91

xii

LIST OF TABLES Table 2.1 Wheat yield reduction (%) under deficit irrigation water-regimes at the

critical growth stages

16

Table 2.2 Bio-chemical composition of moringa leaf extract 34

Table 3.1 Emergence parameters of wheat cultivars under drought stress

conditions

43

Table 3.2 Seedlings growth and yield components of wheat cultivars under

drought stress conditions

44

Table 3.3 Status of enzymatic antioxidants in wheat cultivars at leaf initiation,

booting and heading stages under drought stress conditions

45

Table 3.4 Status of non-enzymatic antioxidants and mineral contents of wheat

cultivars at leaf initiation, booting and heading stages under drought

stress conditions (50% & 100% Field Capacity)

46

Table 4.1 Influence of different seed priming agents on leaf total soluble protein

(TSP) (mg g-1) of wheat cultivars under applied irrigation water deficit

conditions during Year-I & II

62

Table 4.2 Influence of different seed priming agents on leaf superoxide

dismutase (IU min-1 mg-1 protein) of wheat cultivars under applied

irrigation water deficit conditions during Year-I & II

63

Table 4.3 Influence of different seed priming agents on leaf peroxidase (mmol

min-1 mg protein-1) of wheat cultivars under applied irrigation water

deficit conditions during Year-I & II

64

Table 4.4 Influence of different seed priming agents on leaf catalase (μ mol min-

1 mg protein-1) of wheat cultivars under applied irrigation water deficit

conditions during Year-I & II

65

Table 4.5 Influence of different seed priming agents on leaf ascorbic acid (m.

mole g-1) of wheat cultivars under applied irrigation water deficit

conditions during Year-I & II

66

Table 4.6 Influence of different seed priming agents on leaf total phenolic

Contents (mg g-1) of wheat cultivars under applied irrigation water

deficit conditions during Year-I & II

67

Table 4.7 Influence of different seed priming agents on leaf chlorophyll “a” (mg

g-1) of wheat cultivars under applied irrigation water deficit conditions

during Year-I & II

68

Table 4.8 Influence of different seed priming agents on leaf chlorophyll “b” (mg

g-1) of wheat cultivars under applied irrigation water deficit conditions

during Year-I & II

69

Table 4.9 Influence of different seed priming agents on leaf K+ contents (mg g-

1) of wheat cultivars under applied irrigation water deficit conditions

during Year-I & II

70

Table 4.10 Influence of different seed priming agents on fertile tillers (m-2) of

wheat cultivars under applied irrigation water deficit conditions during

Year-I & II

71

xiii

Table 4.11 Influence of different seed priming agents on grains/spike of wheat

cultivars under applied irrigation water deficit conditions during Year-

I & II

72

Table 4.12 Influence of different seed priming agents on 1000 grain weight (g) of

wheat cultivars under applied irrigation water deficit conditions during

Year-I & II

73

Table 4.13 Influence of different seed priming agents on grain yield (t ha-1) of

wheat cultivars under applied irrigation water deficit conditions during

Year-I & II

74

Table 4.14 Influence of different seed priming agents on biological yield (t/ha) of

wheat cultivars under applied irrigation water deficit conditions during

Year-I & II

75

Table 4.15 Influence of different seed priming agents on harvest index (%) of

wheat cultivars under applied irrigation water deficit conditions during

Year-I & II

76

Table. 4.16 Economic analysis (Average of both cultivars) for the impact of seed

priming agents under various irrigation water deficit conditions at the

critical growth stages of wheat during average of both years I & II

77

Table. 5.1 Influence of foliar application of growth enhancers on total soluble

proteins (TSP) (mg g-1) of wheat cultivars under irrigation different

water-regimes during 2013-14 (Year-I), 2014-15 (Year-II)

92

Table. 5.2 Influence of foliar application of growth enhancers on superoxide

dismutase (SOD) (IU min-1 mg-1 protein) of wheat cultivars under

different irrigation water-regimes during 2013-14 (Year-I), 2014-15

(Year-II)

93

Table. 5.3 Influence of foliar application of growth enhancers on peroxidase

(POD) (mmol min-1 mg protein) of wheat cultivars under different

irrigation water-regimes during 2013-14 (Year-I), 2014-15 (Year-II)

94

Table. 5.4 Influence of foliar application of growth enhancers on catalase (CAT)

(μ mol min-1 mg protein) of wheat cultivars under different irrigation

water-regimes during 2013-14 (Year-I), 2014-15 (Year-II)

95

Table. 5.5 Influence of foliar application of growth enhancers on ascorbic acid

(AsA) (m. mole g-1) of wheat cultivars under different irrigation water-

regimes during 2013-14 (Year-I), 2014-15 (Year-II)

96

Table. 5.6 Influence of foliar application of growth enhancers on total phenolic

contents (TPC) (mg g-1) of wheat cultivars under different irrigation

water-regimes during 2013-14 (Year-I), 2014-15 (Year-II)

97

Table. 5.7 Influence of foliar application of growth enhancers on chlorophyll “a”

(mg g-1) of wheat cultivars under different irrigation water-regimes

during 2013-14 (Year-I), 2014-15 (Year-II)

98

Table. 5.8 Influence of foliar application of growth enhancers on chlorophyll “b”

(mg g-1) of wheat cultivars under different irrigation water-regimes

during 2013-14 (Year-I), 2014-15 (Year-II)

99

xiv

Table. 5.9 Influence of foliar application of growth enhancers on K+ contents (mg

g-1) of wheat cultivars under different irrigation water-regimes during

2013-14 (Year-I), 2014-15 (Year-II)

100

Table. 5.10 Influence of foliar application of growth enhancers on fertile tillers (m-

2) of wheat cultivars under different irrigation water-regimes during

2013-14 (Year-I), 2014-15 (Year-II)

101

Table. 5.11 Influence of foliar application of growth enhancers on grain spike-1 of

wheat cultivars under different irrigation water-regimes during 2013-

14 (Year-I), 2014-15 (Year-II)

102

Table. 5.12 Influence of foliar application of growth enhancers on 1000 Grain

weight (g) of wheat cultivars under different irrigation water-regimes

during 2013-14 (Year-I), 2014-15 (Year-II)

103

Table. 5.13 Influence of foliar application of growth enhancers on grain yield (t ha-

1) of wheat cultivars under different irrigation water-regimes during

2013-14 (Year-I), 2014-15 (Year-II)

104

Table. 5.14 Influence of foliar application of growth enhancers on biological yield

(t/ha) of wheat cultivars under different irrigation water-regimes

during 2013-14 (Year-I), 2014-15 (Year-II)

105

Table. 5.15 Influence of foliar application of growth enhancers on harvest index

(%) of wheat cultivars under different irrigation water-regimes during

2013-14 (Year-I), 2014-15 (Year-II)

106

Table. 5.16 Economic analysis of cultivars (mean) for the impact of foliar

application of growth enhancers under various irrigation levels at the

critical growth stages of wheat

107

xv

LIST OF PUBLICATIONS FROM THE THESIS RESEARCH

Articles in Refereed Journals

1. Hamid N., Nazim Hussain, Azra Yasmeen (2015) Growth, yield and antioxidants status

of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars under water deficit conditions. Pakjas Vol.

52(4), 953-959 (Published)

2. Hamid Nawaz, Nazim Hussain, Azra Yasmeen (2015) Pictorial review of critical

stages at vegetative and reproductive growth in wheat for irrigation water regimes.

Appl. Sci. Bus. Econ. 4: 1-6 ISSN 2312-9832. (Published)

3. Hamid Nawaz, Azra Yasmeen, Muhammad Akber Anjum, Nazim Hussain (2016)

"Exogenous application of growth enhancers alleviates water stress in wheat by

antioxidant enhancement". Frontier in Plant Sciences doi: 10.3389/fpls.2016.00597

Volume 7 Article 597 (Online Published process)

4. Hamid Nawaz, Nazim Hussain, Azra Yasmeen (2016) Seed priming: a potential

stratagem for ameliorating irrigation water deficit in wheat. Archive of agronomy and

soil science (Reviewer processing)

Abstracts in Conferences Proceedings

1. Hamid N., Nazim Hussain, Azra Yasmeen. “Malnutrition in south Asia: The peril

Persists and Food Expo” during February 23-24, 2015. Moringa Oleifera: A tool for

food security in wheat under drought stress” Bahauddin Zakariya University

Multan, Pakistan

2. Hamid N., Nazim Hussain, Azra Yasmeen. “International Conference on Stress

Biology & Biotechnology Challenges and Management” during 21-23 May, 2014.

Germination potential: An important screening tool for wheat (Triticum aestivum

L.) varieties under drought stress. Institute of Agricultural Sciences, University of

the Punjab, Lahore Pakistan

3. Hamid N., Nazim Hussain, Azra Yasmeen. Seed priming: a potential stratagem for

ameliorating irrigation water deficit in wheat. 14th National and 5th International

Conference of Botany “Climate change and: Challenges and Opportunities”

January 15-18, 2016. Department of Botany, University of Karachi Pakistan

xvi

xvii

1

ABSTRACT Changes in global weather and temperature due to global warming has coxed us to certain

calamities like salinity, drought and changed rainfall patterns. Drought is one of the crucial

environmental abiotic stressor limiting the agricultural productivity and human food security

around the globe. Whereas cereals are the main contributor in fulfilling the food requirements

of the world’s burgeoning population including wheat, rice and maize. Wheat is the staple food

crop for more than half of the world particularly Asia. However, water deficit is posing a

serious threat for agriculture thereby limiting crop yield and shifting cropping patterns.

Pakistan belonging to arid and semi-arid region is particularly facing severe drought like

situation since decades. As an agriculture based economy we desperately need strategies to

combat the existing problems for improving the crop productivity.

Therefore, present Ph.D. thesis was planned to explore the various drought tolerance

approaches including screening of approved wheat cultivars for drought tolerance, and the

potential of growth enhancers i.e. MLE30 (Moringa Leaf Extract, 1:30), KCl and BAP as seed

priming and their foliar application at the critical growth stages of wheat under various

irrigations water-regimes and irrigation water deficits. During screening trial nine wheat

cultivars Fareed-2006, Millat-2011, Miraj-2008, AARI-2011, Lassani-2006, AAS-2011,

Shafaq-2006, Sahar-2006 and Punjab-2011 were sown in well-watered and water stressed

condition i.e. 100% and 50% Field capacity (during winter season 2012-2013 under wire net

house at Agronomic Research Area, Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, Pakistan. AARI-

11 showed maximum final emergence, emergence index with minimum time to 50%

emergence (T50%). The highest activities of enzymatic antioxidants (SOD, POD, CAT) and

largest contents of ascorbic acid, total phenolics (non-enzymatic antioxidants), K+, chlorophyll

(“a” & “b”) were observed in leaves at the heading stage followed by booting under stress as

well as control condition. The results revealed high drought tolerance in AARI-II with

maximum plant height, number of grains per spike and grain yield proving it prominent among

the cultivars while Millat-2011 was least tolerant.

The exogenous application of growth enhancers as seed priming agent and foliar spray

might have induced tolerance in crop plants under irrigation water stress. Seed priming is an

innovative and cost effective tool to improve growth potential of partially hydrated seeds under

drought conditions. Use of PGRs as a seed priming agents favors not even at the early

germination phases but also facilitates increased nutrient availability and defense system at the

vegetative and reproductive growth stages during drought stress condition.

Therefore, a two year field study was conducted to assess the performance of seed

priming agents i.e. BAP (synthetic PGR), MLE30 (natural PGR) and K+ (nutrient element vital

in crop plants water relations) in AARI-11 and Millat-11 to minimize the severity effects of

irrigation water-regimes and irrigation water deficit with enhancements in antioxidant status.

The treatments detailed as hydro-priming (control), MLE30, KCl (2%), benzyl amino purine

BAP (50 mg L-1) and on farm priming. The irrigation water deficit included without deficit

(control), irrigation deficit at heading (H), tillering and heading (T+H), crown root initiation

and heading (CRI+H), crown root initiation and booting (CRI+B) tillering and booting (T+B)

growth stages. Results depicted that MLE30 priming significantly improved the activities of

enzymatic antioxidants i.e. super oxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase under imposed

irrigation water deficits at CRI+H stages. Moreover, the same treatment was effectual in

increasing contents of non-enzymatic antioxidants i.e. ascorbic acid and total phenols. The leaf

area index (LAI), seasonal leaf area duration, crop growth rate, net assimilation rate,

chlorophyll “a” &”b”, K+ contents, grain and biological yield under irrigation water deficit at

CRI+ H were found maximum and at par with control in AARI-11 with MLE30 priming in

2

both the years. So, the seed priming with MLE30 played significant role in minimizing the loss

of grain yield under deficit irrigation at crown root initiation and heading stages.

In 3rd experiment, foliar applications of growth enhancers at the critical growth stages

of wheat crop were used as a mitigation approach under various irrigation water-regime. The

experiment consisted of foliar application of H2O, MLE30, KCl and BAP (plant growth

enhancers) at tillering and heading stages @500 L/ ha-1, two wheat cultivars i.e. AARI-11 and

Millat-11 and irrigation water-regimes established at those particular growth stages which

contributes critically for wheat yield. The irrigation water-regimes detailed as control at {crown

root initiation (CRI), tillering (T), booting (B) and heading (H), {CRI+T+B}, {CRI+T},

{CRI+B}, {T+B} and {T+H}. Foliar application of MLE30 and BAP significantly improved

the growth attributes including leaf area index, seasonal leaf area duration, crop growth rate

and net assimilation rate in AARI-11 plants under control followed by CRI+T+B, T+B and

T+H irrigation water-regimes respectively. Moreover, activities of enzymatic antioxidants i.e.

super oxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase and non-enzymatic antioxidants ascorbic acid and

phenolic contents were maximum in the leaves of AARI-11 plants by MLE30 treatment under

T+B and T+H irrigation water-regimes. Among the growth enhancers, MLE30 application

proved the best treatment in increasing the leaf chlorophyll contents “a” & “b” and K+ contents

of both cultivars under control, followed by T+B irrigation water regimes. AARI-11 produced

the highest biological and grain yield by the application of MLE30 under control, as par with

CRI+T+B, T+B and T+H irrigation water-regimes. Nevertheless, benefit cost ratio (BCR) also

showed that the treatment MLE30 is an efficient and economical strategy for increasing the

productivity of wheat cultivar AARI-11.

The significant importance of Moringa oleifera leaf extract treatment illustrated that

MLE30 is a best naturally occurring plant growth stimulator in enhancing the growth of wheat.

Moreover, ability of MLE30 as a mitigating agent against oxidative damage caused due to

reactive oxygen species (ROS) through increasing the powerful antioxidant defense system

under drought stress condition is due to having a rich source of nutrients, high concentrations

of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, high proteins levels. So, it is concluded that

maximum wheat grain yield can be obtained by adopting drought tolerant AARI-11 cultivar

along with the exogenous application of MLE30 as a priming agent and foliage spray under

irrigation water-regimes at tillering and booting stages. However, extensive experimentation is

suggested to develop a broad spectrum recommendations.

3

DISSERTATION ABBREVIATIONS

List of abbreviations Full Name

% Percentage

AsA Ascorbic acid

APX Ascorbate peroxidase

ABA Abscisic acid

BAP Benzyl-amino purine

BCR Benefit cost ratio

CRI Crown root initiation

Chl. Chlorophyll

CGR Crop growth rate

CAT Catalase

Cks Cytokines

cm Centimeter (s)

DAS days after sowing

FC Field capacity

GP Glutathione peroxidase

GR Glutathione reductase

GB Glycine betaine

GA3 Gibberellic Acid

g gram (s)

HA Humic acid

ha-1 per hectare

HI Harvest index

H2O2 Hydrogen peroxide

JA Jasmonic acid

KCl Potassium chloride

K Potassium

KDa Kilodalton

Kg Kilogram

kg ha-1 Kilogram per hectare

LAI Leaf area index

LSD Least Significant Difference

4

MLE Moringa leaf extract

m-2 Per square meter

NAR Net assimilation rate

O-2 Superoxide radical

1O2 Singlet oxygen

OH- Hydroxyl radical

POD Peroxidase

PGRs Plant growth regulators

ROS Reactive oxygen species

Rs. Rupees

SLAD Seasonal leaf area duration

SOD Super oxide dismutase

SDS-PAGE Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate

Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis

SA Salicylic acid

TPC Total phenolic contents

TSP Total soluble protein

T50 Time to 50% Emergence

5

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

Pakistan is a developing country with 45% population estimated as agricultural professional

labour. So, the agriculture became direct and indirect source of major livelihood for more than

60% rural population. Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a main staple and cash crop of the

Pakistan, contributing 13.1 and 2.7% in GDP and agriculture sector, respectively (Economic

Survey of Pakistan, 2015).

Unfortunately, unexpected climatic changes leading to biotic and abiotic environmental

stresses become a serious threat to wheat yield instability. Various abiotic stresses like drought,

salinity, temperature fluctuation and shortened light period significantly reduce the crop

productivity (Richards et al., 2001). According to Ibrahim et al. (2011) and Alderfasi et al.

(1999) yield related parameters in wheat like plant height, fertile tillers, 1000 grain weight,

grain and biological yields were highly depended on water availability i.e. the number and

frequency of irrigation applications. Wheat germination, growth, development and highest

yield index increased with two to four irrigations (Abd El-Gawad et al., (1994), with five

irrigations applied at crown root initiation, tillering, jointing, flowering and milking growth

stages (Dawood and Kheiralla, 1994; Bankar et al., 2008), with shorter irrigation intervals of

7 days (Bunyolo, 2000), 14 days (Munyindaa and Bunyoloa, 2000), 21 days (Haj et al., 2005)

and 25 days (Ibrahim et al., 2007). Khan et al. (2007) achieved the highest relative water

contents and water use efficiency with one week irrigation interval.

Water deficit interrupts the plant metabolic process by reducing rate of water absorption

and relative water contents during imbibition, lag and seedling establishment phase of seed

germination (Nouman et al., 2011). At later stages, disturbed in membrane permeability,

altered mineral (K+) uptake, minimized leaf chlorophyll contents, (Kahlown et al., 2003) poor

development of leaf area, reduced rate of crop growth, net assimilation and photosynthesis

was observed under drought stress condition (Abdolshahi et al., 2012). 37, 57, 18-53, 11-39,

1-30 and 9-78% losses were reported in wheat at booting to maturity, heading, pre-anthesis,

anthesis, post-anthesis and grain filling stages, respectively (Farooq et al., 2014). The

biochemical alterations occur during drought stress condition is the generation of reactive

oxygen species (ROS) referred as active oxygen species (AOS) or reactive oxygen

intermediates (ROI). These are the results of partial reduction of atmospheric molecular oxygen

6

(O2) (Gill and Tuteja, 2010). Most reactive and powerful oxidizing forms of ROS are singlet

oxygen (1O2) and hydroxyl radical (OH) (Xiong et al., 2002). They damaged the plants at the

cellular levels in the form of osmotic stress, protein denaturation, injury to DNA, mutation and

peroxidation of lipids which ultimately lead to the cell death (Mittler, 2002). The ROS

scavenging intensity of the plants greatly affected with their antioxidants status (Mano, 2002).

The antioxidants activities and contents under environmental abiotic stresses are varied among

the plant species even within different genotypes of the same species, such as wheat cultivars

(Abdolshahi et al., 2012). Plants response against stresses depends on two important

mechanisms i.e. tolerance and resistance to unfavorable environmental conditions. Resistance

is based on their genetic makeup or induction of drought resistance genes in the plants body

and tolerance is also achieved with modulation of antioxidant defense system (Parida and Das,

2005). Several water stress amelioration approaches have also been explored including

selection of drought resistance cultivars, exogenous application of antioxidant, mineral

contents plant growth regulators (PGRs) etc. The antioxidants are categorized as enzymatic

i.e. superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), peroxidase

(POD), glutathione reductase (GR) and mono-dehydro ascorbate reductase (MDAR) and non-

enzymatic i.e. total phenolic contents (TPC) and ascorbic acid (AsA) (Foyer, 2002). Induction

of defensive enzymes (SOD, POD, and CAT) activities controls the release of hydrogen

peroxide (H2O2) thus prevent electrons leakage towards the excited oxygen on exposure to

plant water deficit condition (Wang et al., 1996). In this way enzymatic antioxidants played a

significant role in neutralizing the excited free oxygen radicals and provide protection against

oxidative stress (OS) (Miller et al., 2000). AsA is an energetic non-enzymatic antioxidant

involved in oxidative stress mitigation by detoxifying H2O2, 1O2 and OH•. It acts as a

donor/acceptor (H+) in the electron transport system at plasma membrane/chloroplast during

photosynthesis (Conklin, 2001; Bohnert and Jensen, 1996). Phenolic contents in plants are also

well-known antioxidants for their free radical scavenging capabilities during the drought stress

(Wattenberg et al., 1980; Fauconneau et al., 1997). ).

Potassium (K+) is critical element for plant functions as it acts as essential catalyst for

the enzymatic reactions, protein synthesis, photosynthesis (Silva, 2004), cell expansion,

stomatal conductance and balancing the cation/anion ratio under osmotic drought stress

conditions (Marschner, 1995).

The plant growth regulators (PGRs) either natural or synthetic when applied directly in

low concentrations increases the yield and quality of grain in targeted plants under stress

7

conditions (Nickell, 1982; Arshad et al., 1998). The positive effects of PGRs like

glycinebetaine (GB), gibberellic acid (GA3), cytokines (Cks), jasmonic acid (JA), abscisic acid

(ABA), proline, brassinolide, polyamines (Pas), salicylic acid (SA) ascorbic acid (AsA), and

benzyl amino purine (BAP) as drought mitigating agents have been well documented (Farooq

et al., 2009). PGRs serve as stimulants for antioxidant activities, stomatal conductance, osmotic

adjustment and reduction of the oxidative stress (Mckersie et al., 1999). The exogenous

application of PGRs although beneficial but cost intensive for the farmers. Therefore, there is

a strong need to explore the naturally occurring, enviorment friendly and low cost plant growth

regulators like moringa leaf extract (Yasmeen et al., 2013), humic acid (HA), seaweed extract

(SE) (Zhang and Ervin, 2008) and algae extract (Hanaa et al., 2008).

Various scientists have been highlighted the performance of moringa leaf extract

(MLE30) as an excellent plant growth enhancer and mitigation agent against environmental

stresses (Nouman et al., 2011). Yasmeen et al., (2013) concluded that MLE30 is naturally

existing safe and cost effective plant growth regulator having a rich proportion of calcium,

potassium, cytokinin in the form of zeatin, antioxidants, proteins, ascorbic acid and phenols

which strengthen the plants to prevent oxidative damage under stress condition. According to

Yasmeen et al., 2012, MLE30 as a foliage treatment enhanced the yield during late sowing of

wheat crop and MLE30 primed seed of hybrid maize promoted the vigor of germination and

seedling establishment under chilled condition (Basra et al., 2011). MLE30 as a priming agent

in wheat seeds increased the leaf area index, crop growth rate, net assimilation rate, grain

weight, phenolic contents and biological yield under stress condition. Foliar application of

MLE30 at the tillering, jointing, booting and heading stages in a pot study alleviated the salt

effect ultimately increased the grain yield. In the present scenario, evaluation of approved

wheat cultivars against limited irrigation water-regimes for their drought tolerance

characteristic based upon strong antioxidant defense system is one of the significant innovative

approach. Different strategies extensively used to induce drought stress are application of

polyethylene glycol (PEG), silicon, skipping of irrigation at the critical growth stages of wheat,

maintaining moisture at different field capacities and establishing various water regimes at

sensitive growth stages of wheat (Ashraf and Abu-Shakra, 1978; Morgan et al., 1986; Braun

et al., 1992; Hamayun et al., 2010; Gong et al., 2008; Sarwar et al., 2010; Mekkei et al., 2014;

Khakwani, et al., 2012).

8

Keeping in author best knowledge, still there is a deficiency to work out effects of

deficit irrigation water-regimes with investigating the potential of wheat cultivars and

performance of plant growth enhancers under such irrigation water-regimes.

The present study was therefore, planned to;

1. Screen drought tolerant and sensitive wheat cultivars.

2. Enhancing the antioxidant activities by adopting the seed priming technique in wheat

under various deficit irrigation water-regimes.

3. Mitigate drought stress effect on growth, yield and antioxidants activities of wheat

through plant growth enhancers/stimulators.

4. Optimization for cost effectiveness of exogenous applications as seed priming and

foliar spray.

5. Determine the most critical growth stages of wheat for irrigation water-regimes and

exogenous application of PGRs.

9

CHAPTER 2

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Owing to ever growing population, increasing food demand, climate change and anthropogenic

activities like mining, and industrialization have become the major threats to agriculture. Under

such circumstances, this is a strong need of the hour to encourage the advanced technology for

maximum crop production on sustainable basis. Developing crop production technologies,

especially to mitigate the environmental stresses like drought, became popular among the

scientific fraternity during last few decades. In this review, selection of tolerant cultivars

against water holding capacity, exogenous application of growth enhancers through seed

priming and foliage spray, identification of most required critical growth stages of wheat

(Triticum aestivum) for irrigation water-regimes have been discussed.

2.1 Wheat insecurity in Pakistan

Wheat is a primary essential staple food crop for the people of Pakistan and backbone of the

country’s economy as a trading commodity worldwide (FAO, 2011). Its nutritional value to

provide more than 20% of calories and protein for the world’s population is a golden key point

(Braun et al., 2010). Recently, rapid rise in world population and sudden climate change needs

to double its production. Therefore, loss in wheat yield is not only a threat to food security but

also lowers the foreign exchange bill. Productivity of the crop depended on the availability of

input resources as genetic potential, optimum seed rate, use of high quality seed, timely cultural

operations, workable land preparation, judicious use of fertilizers, lodging and plant protection

measures. In the recent scenario, irrigation water-regime at the critical growth stages of wheat

is reported to be the most limiting factor in attaining the higher wheat yields (Farooq et al.,

2014).

The location of Pakistan lies between 61° & 76° longitude and 24° & 37° latitude.

About 88% of total area of Pakistan (79.60 million ha) is arid to semi-arid and faces severe

drought spells (Farooq et al., 2014).

The review article has been published in journal of “Applied sciences and business economics”

cited as Hamid Nawaz, Nazim Hussain, Azra Yasmeen, Muhammad Ishaq Asif Rehmani and

Hafiz Muhammad Nasrullah, 2015. Pictorial review of critical stages at vegetative and

reproductive growth in wheat for irrigation water regimes. Vol. 2 (4), 1-7.

10

It is estimated that about 71%, 19% and 10% area of Pakistan receives 250 mm 200-500 mm

and 500 mm annual rainfall respectively. Major segment of total rainfall is received during the

monsoon season (July to September). Intensity of water scarcity has been increased now a days

due to sudden environmental climate change in Pakistan with severe, moderate and weak

droughts during 2006 to 2008, 2008 to 2010 and mid-2010 to mid-2012 respectively (Farooq

et al., 2009).

2.2 Environmental stresses

Stress can be defined as a significant deviation from optimal condition of life (Larcher, 2003).

Regarding agriculture, stress is the external environmental factor that exerts unfavorable

condition for plant growth and development (Taiz and Zeiger, 1991).

2.3 Response to stress and its extent on plant function

Water is an essential basic source for crop productivity and soil fertility. It can be categorized

on the basis of its activities in plants as;

1. Water is main part of plant body (>90%)

2. Best universal solvent containing high vaporization temperature, high surface tension

and high dielectric constant

3. Unique reactant for physiological and biochemical reactions

4. A significant factor to maintain cell turgor pressure (Kramer and Boyer, 1995)

Crop plant expresses water scarcity symptoms when its demand for maintaining growth and

development reaches out of range. Plant may respond to drought stress in four main phases;

a. Alarming phase

b. Resistance phase

c. Exhaustion phase

d. Regeneration phase (Lichtenthaler, 1988)

The alarming phase initiates with so-called stress reaction in the form of declining plant

function, feedback as counter reaction in the form of resistance and ultimately stress is removed

before it causes damage at the threshold level. Sensing is the first sign of plant response when

biotic or abiotic environmental stresses depart from their optimum level. Stress sensing is a

complex and its mechanism still invisible for plant response. Observations regarding drought

impact on plant i.e. some stresses (drought, flooding) are directly related to the underground,

while some (light, heat) are specific to the aboveground parts of the plant. Intensity of stress

11

is variable, based on the plant environmental conditions as heat, temperature, warm and dry

period, light, water etc. (Wyn et al., 1981).

2.4 Drought

Drought, the occurrence of a substantial water scarcity in the soil or in the atmosphere, affects

the vital physiological and biochemical processes in plants, leading to reduced growth and final

crop yield. It is the leading abiotic stress in the field of agriculture that results in negative

changes in morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical, and molecular aspects of

plant (Yasmeen et al., 2013). Various scientists have been explored the definitions of drought

as per meteorological, agricultural and hydrologic aspects but still some controversial

comments are there. Meteorological drought is defined as the atmospheric region where plant

faces a limited precipitation for a specific period of time (Wilhite, 2000). Agricultural drought

is the retardation of plant growth due to the limitation of soil moisture and rainfall for a longer

period of time (Rosenberg, 1979). Hydrological drought is established when the water table is

below the normal level in the water resources like aquifers, soil and reservoirs (Yevjevich et

al., 1977). Usually drought is defined according to climatic terms where availability of

moisture or water is consistently less than the required amount for a long period of time

(Komuscu, 1999).

2.5 Response of plant under drought stress

First and foremost principle for harvesting the maximum yield is timely and optimum crop

establishment under given environmental conditions (Bartels and Sunkar, 2005). Early drought

at the seed germination stage reduces the required plant population which ultimately causes the

low grain yield. Germination process consists of three important phases, i.e. imbibition, lag

and seedling establishment phases. Among these stages, water deficit inhibits seed imbibition

that results in poor crop establishment (Okcu et al., 2005). Growth is defined as the irreversible

increase in size, volume or weight of the plant through cell division, cell enlargement and cell

differentiation (Ramanjulu and Bartels, 2002). Under drought stress, plant faces the impaired

antioxidant activities, decreased leaf area, declined crop growth rate, loss of turgor potential,

minimum dry matter accumulation and reduced energy level (Farooq et al., 2009). To cope

with the environmental stresses, plant mitigates the effect of stressors with resistance and

tolerance mechanisms. Plants adopt various morphological and physiological aspects for

survival under water deficit condition that ensure the plant resistance under such situations.

12

The mechanism related drought tolerance is achieved through genetic modification by

increasing the cuticle thickness, regulation of stomatal conductance, well established root

system, balanced hormonal behavior, protective antioxidant defensive system, osmotic turgor

pressure and plant soil water relationship etc. (Kiliç and Yag˘basanlar, 2010). Drought

avoidance, drought escape, dehydration avoidance and dehydration tolerance are suitable

morphological drought resistance adoptive measure during water stress conditions (Turner et

al., 2001).

In the present scenario, a lot of research works have been conducted for improving

tolerance in plants such as screening of drought tolerance in wheat cultivars under water

holding capacity, irrigation water regimes at critical growth stages of wheat and exogenous

application of growth enhancers still bear the question mark? Therefore, the present study was

designed to evaluate the performance of different wheat genotypes under drought stress, and

the role of exogenously application of growth regulators for stress amelioration.

2.6 ROS as an Oxidative stress agent

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a form of oxygen having more energetic reaction than

molecular oxygen (Mittler, 2002). ROS may be called as AOS, active oxygen species, or ROI,

reactive oxygen intermediates explored to reduce the available oxygen. ROS divided into free

radical species superoxide anion O2•, singlet oxygen 1O2, per-hydroxyl radical HO2• and non-

radical species hydrogen peroxide H2O2, reactive hydroxyl radical OH• (Neill et al., 2002).

ROS are toxic and injurious uncontrolled oxidative reactive atomic molecules disrupted the

metabolic and cellular structure of DNA, protein, lipids (Laloi et al., 2004). Reactivity of ROS

depends on its concentration. At low and high concentrations it acts as a main source of co-

ordination for the responses of plant against numerous environmental stressors either positively

or negatively (Mori and Schroeder, 2004).

ROS molecules are generated through chronical reduction process of molecular oxygen

and released the electrons from the electron transport chain (Fig. 2.1). Superoxide anion (O2•_)

is released through single electron reduction and highly reactive to oxidase the electron with

other free superoxide anion during the protonation process and finally made (H2O2) hydrogen

peroxide.H2O2 is a small, week, and uncharged oxidizing molecule unpaired rapidly and

protonated with (O2•_) to form the per-hydroxyl radical (HO2). The presence of transition

catalyst as iron (Fe) or copper (Co), Haber–Weiss mechanism or the Fenton reaction released

the hydroxyl radicals (•OH) Fig. 2.1. The presence of transition metals in the cell organelle

13

determines the concentration of ROS species. Among the active oxygen species, singlet oxygen

(1O2) originates during photoexcitation process of chlorophyll and affects the lipid formation

at cellular level (Jabs, 1999).

Fig. 2.1 The generation of ROS molecules by injurious reduction process of molecular

oxygen (Farooq et al., 2009; Mittler, 2002)

2.7 Antioxidants defense system

Antioxidants constitute a powerful defense system against oxidative damages that

reduces/quenches the free radicals efficiently under drought stress condition (Hernández et al.,

2004). Antioxidants may be divided into enzymatic and non-enzymatic ones in the plants.

a. Nutrient based antioxidants are so-called non-enzymatic antioxidants i.e. total phenolic

contents (TPC), ascorbic acid (AsA) (vitamin C), carotenoids, tocopherols and

tocotrienols (vitamin E), glutathioneand lipoicacid.

b. Enzymatic antioxidants are superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase

(POD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione peroxidase (GP) and glutathione

reductase (GR).

These oxidized antioxidants convert the free radical ROS molecules into harmless products

during the oxidative drought stress. Relationship between the enzymatic and non-enzymatic

14

antioxidants can be distinguished through scavenging the pro-oxidants (AOS) using electron

as a donor as water or NADPH or ferredoxin (Ahuja et al., 2010).

2.8 Screening for tolerant wheat cultivars

Identification of inbuilt genetically tolerant crop characteristics for drought stress is a vital and

critical approach for obtaining the desired productivity under drought-prone areas. The drought

avoidance strategies include the sensing of drought before its onset, morphological

modification, and introducing drought tolerance cultivars with high yielding traits (Ashraf,

2010). Due to gradual decrease in rainfall and irrigation water, drought becomes the

unpredictable factor throughout the year and selection of drought tolerant cultivars is the main

important task in this regard. To develop the drought resistance characteristics in wheat seeds

through breeding is a complex, time consuming and highly expensive technique for the farmers

and agricultural scientists (Babu et al., 2012). The screening the wheat cultivars with various

drought inducing agents under the available environmental stress conditions are simple, easy

and cost effective approaches (Atlin and Lafitte, 2002).

Various scientists have evaluated the drought tolerance of wheat cultivars using

different strategies such as low temperature (Ashraf and Abu-Shakra, 1978), moisture stress

(Morgan et al., 1986), under irrigated and rain-fed conditions(Braun, et al., 1992), drought

inducing agent like polyethylene glycol (PEG) (Hamayun et al., 2010), silicon induction (Gong

et al., 2008), skipping of irrigation at the critical growth stages (Sarwar et al., 2010), water-

regimes at the sensitive growth stages (Mekkei et al., 2014), and water holding field capacity

(Khakwani et al., 2012). Keeping in view the above screening trials, the present review is

focused to investigate the wheat cultivars in response to drought resistance under water holding

field capacity (FC) (Khakwani et al., 2011; Ali et al., 2011).

2.9 Irrigation water regimes at critical growth stages of wheat

Intensity of the drought is mainly concerned with the crop phenology. Shortening of plant

growth duration from vegetative to reproductive stage is one of the main negative effects of

drought stress (Desclaux and Roumet, 1996).Several researchers have reported the impact of

water deficit at critical growth stages of wheat. Mc Master and Wilhelm (2003) reported the

reduction in growth period under drought stress, ultimately reduced the yield. In another study,

reduction in the yield of wheat and quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Wild) was attributed due to

the delayed pre-anthesis stage under induced water stress at the vegetative stages (crown root

stage, tillering, booting) (Geerts et al., 2008; Majid et al., 2007). In rice (Oryza sativa L.),

15

drought at anthesis delayed the flowering which ultimately inhibited the crop productivity

(Fukai, 2009). In soybean (Glycine max L.) drought stress at reproductive phase, caused the

pre-mature onset of grain filling stage that resulted in the low yield due to smaller grain size

(Desclaux and Roumet, 1996). Delay in vegetative and anthesis stages under limited irrigation

prominently diminished the yield of various crops i.e. soybean (Desclaux and Roumet, 1996),

quinoa (Geerts et al., 2008), rice (Fukai, 2009), maize (Abrecht and Carberry, 1993), wheat,

and barley (McMaster and Wilhelm, 2003). Drought stress at the heading and anthesis growth

stages of wheat proved to be the most devastating one that hampered the grain yield at

economic level (Majid et al., 2007). Reduction in biological yield under drought stress at the

critical growth stages of wheat is displayed in the Table. 1.

Fig.2.2 Role of antioxidants contents in ROS scavenging mechanism (Farooq et al., 2009)

Keeping in view the drastic effect of drought, irrigation water regimes at sensitive growth

stages of wheat is an important strategy to optimize yield under limited water resources. Water

stress reduced the wheat crop yield due to the shortage of water regimes at the critical growth

stages (Mccue and Hanson, 1990). The right time for irrigation application as per crop

phenology is an important aspect for maximizing the productivity of wheat crop and

16

minimizing the threat of water stress but unfortunately most of the farmers are unaware in this

regard (Chandra and Kumar, 1999). Application of irrigation at the critical growth stages

illustrated a significant increase of wheat yield by different scientists such as; crown root

initiation to maturity (25%) Rajaram, (2001), booting to maturity (45%) Shamsi et al. (2010),

heading to maturity (57%) Prasad et al. (2011), Heading and grain filling (64%) Dhanda and

Sethi (2002), pre-anthesis (39%) Majid et al. (2007), anthesis (29%) Akram, (2011), post-

anthesis (21%) Eskandari and Kazemi (2010), grain filling (41%) Gu´oth et al. (2009), grain

filling to maturity (31%) Shamsi and Kobraee (2011) respectively. The approach, irrigation

water regimes at the recommended sensitive growth stages of wheat may further enhance the

yield by applying plant growth regulators.

Table 2.1.Wheat yield reduction (%) under deficit irrigation water-regimes at the critical

growth stages (Farooq et al., 2014; Nawaz et al., 2015)

Critical Growth stages Drought induced Yield

reduction (%)

References

Crown root initiation 12 Rajaram, (2001)

Tillering to leaf initiation 26-74 Larbi and Mekliche, (2004)

Booting to maturity 38 Shamsi et al. (2010)

Heading 57 Balla et al. (2001)

Heading and grain filling 58-92 Dhanda and Sethi, (2002)

Heading to maturity 44 Prasad et al. (2011)

Anthesis 8-39 Akram, (2011)

Pre-anthesis 19-53 Majid et al. (2007)

Post-anthesis 13-38 Majid et al. (2007)

Grain filling 9-78 Gu’oth et al. (2009)

2.10 PICTORIAL REVIEW OF CRITICAL STAGES AT VEGETATIVE AND

REPRODUCTIVE GROWTH IN WHEAT FOR IRRIGATION WATER REGIMES

2.11 Abstract

Drought becomes a major threat among the environmental stressors and reduces the wheat

(Triticum aestivum L.) productivity worldwide. Scientists predicted the sudden globally

climate change emphasized the water resources, mining the availability of water and episodes

the drought spells. Water deficit at the critical wheat growth stages including vegetative and

reproductive growth stages impedes the sever loss in grain yield. Reduction of yield in wheat

determined through the severity of drought duration at the sensitive stages of wheat. The

17

present review study explored the need and importance of irrigation water regimes at the critical

growth stages of wheat for agricultural scientists as well as the best management practices for

the farmers. The review contains ten important the progressive key stages in the life cycle of

the wheat plant. Each chapter contains following more minor stages such as germination, (dry

seed, start of imbibition’s, radical emergence from seed, imbibition’s complete, coleoptiles

emerged from seed, leaf just at coleoptiles tip) seedling growth stages (1st leaf through

coleoptiles, first leaf emerged unfolded, 2 leaf unfolded, 4 leaf unfolded, 8 leaf unfolded),

tillering (main shoot only, main shoot and 1st tiller, main shoot and 2 tillers, main shoot and 4

tillers, main shoot and 8 tillers), stem elongation (stem start to elongate, 1st node detectable,

2nd node detectable, 4th node detectable, flag leaf just visible, flag leaf/collar just visible),

booting stage head emergence anthesis or flowering milk development (dough development,

ripening, (seed hard, difficult to divide with thumb nail, seed halt can no longer be detente by

thumb nail), harvesting. Included in each stages are practical exercises to demonstrate how

knowledge of plant physiology can be applied in the field and which stage is most critical for

irrigation under stress conditions.

2.12 Introduction Water scarcity is one of the most prominent environmental harsh stresses in Pakistan as well

as in the most of world regions which gradually reduces wheat germination, growth,

development and productivity. Drought is becoming a crucial threat for the agricultural

scientists and farmers (Economic Survey of Pakistan, 2015). It is estimated till 2015;

approximately 1.9 billion people suffered absolute water shortage and 68% world population

under water-stressed environments (Angus et al., 1981). Due to the mining of the water, staple

crops are badly affected and decreased the economy and human consumption up to the mark

(Dhanda and Sethi, 2002). Wheat is the major cereal crop sown in winter season based on the

suitable climatic conditions as temperature 25-30 ˚C in Pakistan (Nawaz et al., 2015).

Maximum reduction in the wheat especially is due to the mismanagement of water application.

It is necessary to apply the water at the critical growth stages of wheat which performed better

in the yield and yield components. Application of irrigation at the critical growth stages in

wheat is not only valuable information for the farmers even in the production aspects, it also

important for the saving the water (Ashraf and Leary, 1996.). Different scientists worked for

determine the critical growth stages as The Feeks scale (Acevedo, 1987; Bagga and Rawson,

1977), a growth stages of wheat facilitates the farmers, advisers, researchers with common time

duration and specific shape for the describing the crop development (Acevedo, 1991; Baker

18

and Gallagher, 1983). Management by the growth stages is the critical to optimize returns from

the inputs such as water, fertilizer, plant growth regulators and fungicides (Abbate et al., 1995).

This information has been emphasized as the part of Bahauddin Zakariya University (BZU)

funding project examining the role of water management at the need of wheat critical growth

stages in Pakistan. Discussion and pictorial portion are primarily based knowledge generated

during 2012-2013 under control greenhouse environment in the Department of Agronomy,

Faculty of Agricultural Sciences & Technology, Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan,

Pakistan. This review study is designed to give the farmers, growers, researchers, scientists and

student’s confidence knowledge in the identifying the critical growth stages of wheat and also

illustrated the relation of growth and development activities under water requirement.

2.13 Critical Growth Stages

2.13.1 Germination

Germination starts with the uptake of water (imbibition’s) by a wheat grain has lost its post-

harvest dormancy (Berry and Rawson, 1981). Plant germination is resumed once the embryo

is fully imbibed with the resumption of growth, the radical and coleoptiles emerge from the

seed (Biscoe, 1988). The first three seminal roots are produced and then the coleoptiles elongate

pushing the growing point toward the soil surface (Blum, 1988). Water deficit at this stage

decreased 12% grain yield (Rajaram, 2001). It consists of various stages shown in fig. 2.3.

2.13.2 Seedling elongation with tillering establishment stages

The seedling stage begins with the appearance of the first leaf and ends with the emergence of

the first tiller (Bouaziz and Hicks, 1990). Tillering has great agronomic importance in cereals

crop since it may partially or totally compensate the differences in plant number after crop

establishment (Boyer, 1982). Wheat tillers grow from the axils of the main shoot leaves. The

potential number of tillers varies with genotype, particularly among flowering types, winter

types having a bigger number (Byerlee and Moya, 1993). Grain yield might be affected

approximately 26-74% due to minimum plant population at this stages under limited water

regimes (Larbi and Mekliche, 2004) (Fig. 2.4).

19

Fig: 2.3 Germination phases during wheat growth stages Nick Poole, (2009)

2.13.3 Stem Elongation

The nodes from which leaves develop are telescoped at the crown during the tillering stage

(Levitt, 1972). Once jointing starts, the internodes region elongates, moving the nodes and the

growing point upward from the crown to produce a long stiff stem that will carry the head (Cao

and Moss, 1994). Appearance of the first node can usually be detected without dissecting the

plant by pressing the base of the main (largest) stem between your fingers (Condon and

Richards, 1993).

20

Fig: 2.4 Seedling elongation with tillering establishment phases during wheat growth stages

Nick Poole, (2009)

Each successive tiller of wheat plant normally has one less leaf than its predecessor (Chhipa

and Lal, 1995). This synchronizes the start of the stem elongation stages of the main stem and

tillers. Spikelet development on the microscopic head is usually completed by the time the first

node is 0.4 inches (1 cm) above the soil surface (Dhillon and Ortiz-Monasterio, 1993). A rapid

loss of younger, poorly developed tillers also normally starts at this stage (Eastham et al.,

1984). The stem elongation or jointing stage comes to an end with the appearance of the last

(flag) leaf (Eberhart and Russell, 1966). It is the important stage for wheat growth and

development and impaired the yield about 48% under water deficit condition (Fischer, 1983).

(Fig. 2.5)

21

2.13.4 Booting stage

Booting stage is the swelling of the head within the ‘boot’ formed by the sheath of the fully

extended flag leaf (Fischer and Maurer, 1978). The developing head within the sheath of the

flag leaf becomes visibly and enlarged during the booting stage (Gallagher and Biscoe, 1978).

The booting stage ends when the first wheat awns emerge from the flag leaf sheath and the

head starts to force the sheath open (Hanft and Wych, 1982). Booting stage is the most critical and

sensitive stage of wheat, plant at this stage reduced the grain yield 38% (Shamsi et al., 2010).

(Fig. 2.6)

Fig: 2.5 Seedling establishment phases during wheat growth stages Nick Poole, (2009)

22

Fig: 2.6 Booting phases during wheat growth stages Nick Poole, (2009)

2.13.5 Head Emergence

The heading stage extends from the time of emergence of the tip of the head from the flag

leaf sheath when the head has completely emerged but has not yet started to flower (Idso et

al., 1984). Heading stage is the second important reproductive stage after booting and most

sensitive for drought and minimized the yield about 58-91% (Nawaz et al., 2015b; Balla et

al., 2011). (Fig. 2.7)

23

Fig: 2.7 Heading phases during wheat growth stages Nick Poole, (2009)

2.13.6 Anthesis or flowering

The flowering or anthesis stage lasts from the beginning to the end of the flowering period.

Pollination and fertilization occur during this period (Cattivelli et al., 2008). All heads of a

properly synchronized wheat plant flower within a few days and the embryo and endosperm

begin to form immediately after fertilization (Liang et al., 2001). Water scarcity at the

24

reproductive growth stages called as terminal drought and anthesis is the prominent in this

regard and decreased the yield approximately 18-58% (Majid et al., 2007; Akram, 2011; Jatoi

et al., 2011). (Fig. 2.8)

2.13.7 Milk Development

Early grain formation occurs during the milk stage (Gupta et al., 2001). The developing

endosperm starts as a milky fluid that increases in solids as the milk stage progresses (Eskandari

and Kazemi, 2010). Grain size increases rapidly during this stage (Guoth et al., 2009). At the

early milk stage the grain is almost grown to its full length and is one tenth of its final weight.

Filling continues, and by the medium milk stage, 11 to 16 days after flowering, the grain is half

grown. Drought reduced the grain yield about 9-35% under this stage of wheat (Shamsi and

Kobraee, 2011). (Fig. 2.9)

Fig: 2.8 Anthesis phases during wheat growth stages Nick Poole, (2009)

25

Fig: 2.9 Milk development phases during wheat growth stages Nick Poole, (2009)

2.13.8 Dough Development

Grain formation is completed during the dough development stage. The grain accumulates most

of its dry weight during dough development (Farooq et al., 2011). The transport of nutrients

from the leaves, stems, and spike to the developing seed is completed by the end of the hard

dough stage (Wei et al., 2010). The developing grain is physiologically mature at the hard

dough stage even though it still contains approximately 30 percent water (Yang and Zhang,

2006). (Fig. 2.10)

26

Fig: 2.10 Dough development phases during wheat growth stages Nick Poole, (2009)

2.13.9 Ripening

This stage denotes physiological maturity of the crop. This is followed by spike ripening and

grain drying (Karimi and Siddique, 1991). The seed loses moisture, and any dormancy it may

have had, during the ripening stage (Saini and Westgate, 2000). (Fig. 2.11)

2.13.10 Harvesting

Today’s modern, high-capacity combines are designed to do an excellent job of threshing and

cleaning wheat grains. However, part of the crop is left in the field or the quality of the grains

harvested is less as needed. In most cases, a few minor adjustments can drastically reduce losses

or improve grain quality (Kirby and Appleyard, 1984). (Fig. 2.12)

27

Fig 2.11 Ripening phases during wheat growth stages Nick Poole, (2009)

Fig: 2.12 Harvesting phase during wheat growth stages Nick Poole, (2009)

28

2.14 Conclusion

Knowledge about the wheat phenology and physiology of is well known for the agronomist

and plant breeders. Inputs priority including irrigation should be given to yield and yield

forming processes, with the idea in mind that the application of these concepts would have a

higher impact on wheat production around the world.

2.15 Exogenous application of plant growth enhancers

Plant growth regulators (PGRs) are the chemical substances that influence and regulate the

physiological processes of plant. The effect of PGRs is depended on the applied concentrations

under drought stress conditions (Morgan, 2000). PGRs are differentiated based on the nature

of influence such as organic solutes/ organic osmolytes, stress proteins, aquaporins,

osmoprotectants/osmotic solutes/osmotic adjustors. These substances are collectively referred

to as so-called compatible osmolytes or compatible osmo-regulants which may protect the

structure of membranes through scavenging ROS free-radicals as an osmsoprotective measure

under the severe stress conditions including drought (Ashraf, 2010). Scientists have proved the

use of PGRs as a positive growth stimulators and a mitigating agent against drought stress such

as glycine betaine (GB),gibberellic Acid (GA3), cytokines (Cks), jasmonic acid (JA), abscisic

acid (ABA), proline, brassinolides, polyamines (Pas), salicylic acid (SA) and ascorbic acid

(AsA) (Manivannan et al., 2008; Anjum et al., 2011; Ashraf and Foolad, 2007; Farooq et al.,

2009;Yuan et al., 2010; Alcázar et al., 2010). ,Among the growth enhancers, benzyl amino

purine (BAP) and potassium chloride (KCl) are the emerging and effective PGRs which

regulate the biochemical and physiological process, are well-known as anti-stressor agents

(Tzortzakis, 2009; Radhika and Thind, 2013; Hamdia, and Shaddad, 2010). The utilization of

PGRs to optimize growth and development of wheat plant, either through seed priming or foliar

application, still bears a question mark.

2.16 Seed priming techniques

Priming is a short duration and cost effective technique to alleviate the drought stress. Priming

is a process in which seeds are partially soaked in water for a certain period of time and sown

in the field after the beginning of germination-related metabolic processes but before radicle

emergence (Farooq et al., 2006). Primed seeds demonstrate the vigorous seedling emergence

through uniform germination and increased germination percentage (Kaya et al., 2006). During

seed priming process, water activates the biochemical reactions and motivates the germination

29

related procedures a) breaking of seed dormancy b) water imbibition c) lag phase, and d)

seedling establishment phase (Ajouri et al., 2004) Fig. 2.13. Priming needs a time during

soaking process of the seed in water to complete the first two phases of germination. After

drying, before radicle emergence, seed becomes vigorous and viable for sowing (Du and

Tuong, 2002). Various studies regarding seed priming in various crops have shown healthy

growth seedling establishment such as seeds of crops (rice, maize, chickpea and sorghum)

primed with water exhibited the increase of germination percentage and rapid seedling

establishment. Under drought stress conditions (Harris, 1996), priming of rice seeds for 12-24

hours minimized the >50% germination reduction problems and also positively affected the

growth parameters like crop growth rate, leaf area index, net assimilation rate and seasonal leaf

are duration (Harris and Jones, 1997; Harris et al., 1999). Barley seeds with hydro-priming also

demonstrated the early germination, seedling establishment, quick nutrients uptake under

deficit water stress conditions (Ajour et al., 2004). Various factors affecting the seeds during

the hydration process like imbibition phase is speed up due to the availability of water contents

and stimulation of metabolic and physiological process provided the favorable condition for

the crop under limited irrigation water-regimes (Bradford, 1995). Priming helped the early

germination process and also provided the reserved nutrients during seedlings establishment

for strengthening of plant roots to withstand stressful environmental conditions (Rengel and

Graham, 1995). Priming with plant growth regulators (PGRs) is also favorable, not even at the

early germination phases but also facilitates through increasing the nutrients availability and

defense system during drought stress condition at the vegetative and reproductive growth

stages (Scaife and Smith, 1973; Whalley et al., 1966). Nutrient containing priming agents

explored the sufficient reserved food for the seedling until root system start up the nutrient

uptake from the soil (Asher, 1987). Therefore, various works on the nutrient containing priming

agents have been performed to increase the nutrient availability and also decrease the

deficiency of harvested grain seeds.

30

Fig. 2.13. Comparing the germination process by normal seed and primed seed (Harris et al.,

2007)

Priming with plant growth regulators (PGRs) is also favorable, not even at the early

germination phases but also facilitates through increasing the nutrients availability and defense

system during drought stress condition at the vegetative and reproductive growth stages (Scaife

and Smith, 1973; Whalley et al., 1966). Nutrient containing priming agents explored the

sufficient reserved food for the seedling until root system start up the nutrient uptake from the

soil (Asher, 1987). Therefore, various works on the nutrient containing priming agents have

been performed to increase the nutrient availability and also decrease the deficiency of

harvested grain seeds. Various drastic effect related to deficiency of nutrient contents

diminished the yield of the crop such as; rice with deficit Zn contents received the Zn deficiency

symptoms in the wheat (Hacisalihoglu and Kochian, 2003), seeds of wheat, barley and lupin

with low Mn contents deceased the germination rate, vigor of seedling establishment and

finally low harvested grain yield (Genc et al., 2000; Marcar and Graham, 1986) observations

related Boron (B) deficit soybean green and black grams (chickpea) obtained low dry matter

production and biomass (Rerkasem et al., 1997), at low phosphorous (P) contents containing

seeds inhibited the vegetative phases of spring wheat (Bolland and Baker, 1988), clover

(Thomson and Bolger, 1993), rice (Ros et al., 1997), bean plants (Teixeira et al., 1999) and

barley (Zhang et al., 1990).

Various approaches are explored to provide the nutrients to the crops e.g. application

of fertilizer directly to the soil, foliar application and most importantly through seed treatments.

Application of fertilizer is costly, time consuming and laborious aspect (Johnson et al., 2005)

31

but the seed treatment and foliar application with various nutrients containing above said plant

growth enhancers is cost effective and less time consuming in this regard (Ros et al., 2000).

The improvement in the seedling establishment and yield of rice was observed through osmo-

priming with 4% KCl and CaHPO4 hydrated solution under water stress conditions (Harris et

al., 2007). Comparing the hydro-priming and osmo-priming (KNO3) treatments in sunflower,

it was observed that maximum germination percentage and biological yield obtained in osmo-

priming treatments (Kaya et al., 2006). Tahir et al. (2011) as a seed priming with silicon

enhanced the wheat yield. Priming also improved the chlorophyll contents, membrane

permeability and provided best source for water relationship between the soil and wheat plants

under salt stress condition. Maximum productivity of bread wheat was obtained by using

priming technique with CaCl2under various row spacing at the terminal drought stress (Farooq

et al., 2014). Maize yield was improved by using the BAP as a priming agent through

increasing leaf antioxidants and chlorophyll contents in tomato under drought stress. The

results illustrated that priming enhanced the antioxidant contents including SOD, POD, CAT

as enzymatic and TPC, AsA as non-enzymatic contents by ameliorating the ROS activities

which reduced the oxidative damage.

2.17 Foliar technique:

Foliar application of PGRs at critical growth stages of plant is one of the easily applicable

approaches to ameliorate the deleterious of drought stress (Manivannan et al., 2008). Plant

growth regulators/stimulators like GA3, AsA, BAP, ABA, Cks, proline, GB, PSs, SA have been

proved as valuable growth and yield enhancers, ameliorating agents to scavenge ROS activities

through promoting the antioxidant contents, maintaining osmotic pressure for the turgidity of

cell and stability of membrane structure, enzymes, DNA, protein under drought stress (Farooq

et al., 2009). Application of SA at the vegetative and reproductive stages of bean and tomato

plants induced the drought tolerance by regulating the various biochemical and physiological

processes (Senaratna et al., 2000). Abreu and Munne-Bosch, (2008) observed the mechanism

of drought induction through the foliage application of methyl salicylic acid in the leaves of

Salvia officinalis L. through remobilization process of nutrients which facilitates later during

reproductive life period of crop growth. Sunflower plants under drought conditions enhanced

productivity due to the improved turgor pressure and accumulation of endogenous plant growth

regulators SA, proline and GB (Hussain et al., 2009). Benzyl amino purine is a synthetic plant

enhancer associated with mitigating the drought stress and growth promoting agent in crop

32

plants. BAP motivated the scavenging ROS molecules by inducing the tolerance through the

release of maximum enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants in plants. Observations

showed that BAP foliar application at tillering, booting and heading stages promoted the

growth related parameters like LAI, CGR and NAR and yield related parameters like grain

filling and milking stage of the wheat under stress condition (Yasmeen et al., 2013). Gupta et

al. (2003) described the exogenous application of BAP at the post-anthesis stage in wheat crop

that resulted in increase of grain yield under heat induced stress. According to Warrier et al.

(1987) grain size and weight increased with associated mechanism of maximum net

assimilation rate (NAR) towards the grain filling stage in the wheat plants. Foliar application

of BAP at the ear stage significantly increased the grain weight of Hordeum vulgare (Hosseini

et al., 2008). Polyamines are one of the most important plant growth enhancers and

ameliorating agents in response to drought stress for Theobroma cacao plants. It increased the

antioxidant activities against oxidative stress, chl. contents, K+ contents which ultimately

enhanced the crop productivity under deficit irrigation stress (Bae et al., 2008). Plant growth

regulator, GB is the best osmo-protectant and externally applied as foliar agent for wheat crop.

It improves the membrane permeability and enzymatic antioxidants against the oxidative stress

under deficit irrigation (Ma et al., 2006). K+ source is a common and easily available foliar

spray in the market and used extensively for improving the physiological, biochemical and

antioxidant contents in the crop plants under environmental stresses. It facilitates the various

growth activities such as uptake of K+ contents during the stomatal conductance under drought

stress, minimizing the antagonistic effect against salt stress, increased vegetative growth

period, improved plant photosynthetic activity, carbohydrate contents, stress proteins,

maintaining homeostasis during the stress condition (Baque et al., 2006; Akram et al., 2007).

Since commercially available plant growth enhancers are limited and cost-intensive for the

farmers, so there is a strong need to explore the naturally occurring plant growth regulators

which acted as a divergent characteristics including growth promoting agents and mitigating

agent against stressors.

2.18 Moringa oleifera:

The “Moringa” tree is referred to as so-called “Versatile Tree” due to its multiple

characteristics. It is a native tree of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, and belongs

to family Moringaceae (Fahey, 2005). It is drought resistant and commonly found in semi-arid

regions of Pakistan. Various parts of moringa tree are useful for various healthy purposes.

33

Seeds, pods, and leaves are nutritionally important which are used as vegetables. Its oil is used

for making the cooking oil, soap, cosmetics, fuels and lamps. Wood is used for papermaking,

leaves and seed-cake are used as fertilizer, fortifying sauces, juices, spices, milk, bread, instant

noodles, soft drinks and tea. Its seed powder is used for medicinal purposes as anti-allergic,

antibacterial infection, fodder for livestock, uses as a micronutrient liquid, a natural

anthelmintic (kills parasites), adjuvant (to aid or enhance another drug) and metabolic

conditioner to aid against endemic diseases (Foidle et al., 2001).

In the latest scenario, Moringa oleifera is explored as a miracle tree containing as a rich

source of nutrients, amino acid, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, highly digestible

proteins, Ca, Fe, more than 7 times more vitamin C than orange, 10 times more vitamin A than

carrot, 17 times more calcium than milk, 15 times more potassium than bananas, 25 times more

iron than spinach, 9 times more proteins than yogurt, vitamin B complex, chromium, copper,

magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, zinc, combat vitamin A, 40139 μg/100g carotenoids,

47.8% or 19210 μg/100g β-carotene, ascorbic acid 6.6 mg/g, 0.26 mg/g Fe, 22.4 mg/gcalcium,

6.3 mg/g P, 11.2 mg/g oxallic acid and 0.9 g/100 g fiber (Fuglie, 2000; Fuglie, 1999; Nambiar,

2006). Biochemical analysis of moringa leaves containing nutrients and antioxidants contents

are mentioned in the Table 2.2.

2.19 Moringa leaf extract (MLE):

Moringa leaf extract is expressed as MLE30. It is an emerging naturally occurring plant growth

regulator and plays important role in increasing the growth and yield of crop. Exogenous

application of MLE30through seed priming and foliar application enhanced the plant life span,

better root establishment and more fruit production, which ultimately increased the yield about

20-35% under environmental stress condition (Foidle et al., 2001). MLE30 proved as an ideal

plant growth enhancer and mitigating agent in many experiments due to its best characteristics;

1. Scavenging of ROS (Makkar and Becker, 1996)

2. Reduction of potassium ferricyanide (Nouman et al., 2011)

3. Preventing oxidative damaging stress (Makkar et al., 2007)

4. Protonation of hydrogen ion (Siddhuraju and Becker, 2003)

5. Scavenging of ROS (Makkar and Becker, 1996)

6. Reduction of potassium ferricyanide (Nouman et al., 2011)

7. Preventing oxidative damaging stress (Makkar et al., 2007)

8. Protonation of hydrogen ion (Siddhuraju and Becker, 2003)

34

Table 2.2. Moringa leaf biochemical analysis (Yasmeen et al., 2012)

Enzymatic antioxidants Non-enzymatic antioxidant Nutrients elements

Total soluble protein

(mg-1) 1.40±0.003

Total phenolic contents (TPC)

8.19±0.007

(mg g-1 GAE)

Nitrogen (%)

1.933±0.145

Magnesium

(%)

0.012±0.002

Super oxide dismutase

(SOD) EC number (1.15.1.1)

191.86±8.482

(IU min-1mg-1protein)

Ascorbic acid

(AsA) 0..36±0.007

(m mole g-1)

Phosphorous

(%)

0.108±0.021

Zinc

(mg kg-1)

38.33±0.667

Peroxidase

(POD) EC number (1.11.1.7)

21.99±0.073

(IU min-1mg-1protein)

Potassium

(%)

2.187±0.104

Copper

(mg kg-1)

3.500±0.289

Catalase

(CAT) EC number (1.11.1.6)

7.09±0.045

(IU min-1mg-1protein)

Calcium (%)

2.433±0.088

Iron

(mg kg-1)

544.00±2.08

Manganese

(mg kg-1)

49.66±1.76

Boron

(mg kg-1)

21.33±1.202

Yasmeen et al. (2013) found that MLE30 contains a rich quantity of calcium, potassium,

cytokine in the form of Zeatin, antioxidant, proteins, ascorbic acid and phenols which facilitates

the plants by reducing the damaging effects of ROS under salt stress. In a pot experiment,

observations illustrated that foliar application of MLE30 at the tillering, jointing, booting and

heading stage alleviated the salt effect through enhancing the activity of antioxidants and grain

yield. The results demonstrated that MLE30 treatment as a priming agent in wheat seeds

increased the leaf area index (LAI), crop growth rate (CGR), net assimilation rate (NAR), grain

weight, phenolic contents and biological yield under normal environmental condition

(Yasmeen et al., 2013). According the Yasmeen et al. (2012) observations, MLE30 as a foliage

treatment enhanced the yield during late sowing of wheat crop. MLE30 primed seeds of hybrid

maize promoted the germination vigor and seedling establishment under chilled condition

(Basra et al., 2011). Bennett et al., 2003 worked on the MLE30 as a priming agent in maize

under high temperature stress. MLE30 priming improved the number of grains per cob, kernel

rows per cob and yield related traits under stress condition.

Therefore, a study was planned to check the effectiveness of MLE30 as a priming and foliar

mode of exogenous application in wheat plants under applied various irrigation water deficit

regimes.

35

CHAPTER 3

GROWTH, YIELD AND ANTIOXIDANTS STATUS OF WHEAT

CULTIVARS UNDER WATER DEFICIT CONDITIONS

3.1 Abstract

Water scarcity is one of the major impacts of climate change leading to great reduction in wheat

crop yields all over the world. Therefore, identification of drought tolerant or sensitive wheat

cultivars has become an essential approach to enhance the food production on sustainable basis.

A study was planned to evaluate the potential of nine approved wheat cultivars [Fareed-2006,

Millat-2011, Miraj-2008, AARI-2011, Lassani-2006, AAS-2011, Shafaq-2006, Sahar-2006

and Punjab-2011] against water deficit conditions on the basis of their antioxidants status. The

cultivars were grown under water deficit and well-watered conditions (50% and 100% field

capacity), respectively. The cultivars showed differential but statistically similar response

during emergence and seedling establishment under applied water treatments. Drought (50%

field capacity) caused significant reduction in growth and yield contributing parameters i.e.

plant height, number of grains per spike, 100 grain weight and grain yield per plant in all the

wheat cultivars studied. However, performance of AARI-11 ensured the maximum yield and

yield contributing components under deficit and normal watered conditions with more

activities of enzymatic antioxidants [superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) catalase

(CAT)], higher contents of non-enzymatic antioxidants [ascorbic acid (AsA) and total phenolic

contents (TPC)], also greater contents of leaf K+ and photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll “a”

and “b”). Nevertheless, antioxidants status was significantly higher at reproductive stages

(booting and heading) as compared to vegetative stage (leaf initiation) in all the cultivars, under

water deficit and well-watered conditions. Moreover, AARI-11 showed the major grain protein

profiling determined through sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-

page). In the present study, the cultivar AARI-11 proved itself a drought tolerant cultivar with

maximum productivity.

This study has been published in Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Sciences (Pak Jas IF: 1.04).

citated as Hamid Nawaz, Nazim Hussain, Azra Yasmeen, 2015. Growth, yield and

antioxidants status of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars under water deficit conditions Pak.

J. Agri. Sci., Vol. 52(4), 953-959.

36

Keywords: Drought tolerance, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, SDS-page, water

stress.

Running title: Screening wheat cultivars under drought

3.2 Introduction

Agriculture is leading source of income for more than half of the population of Pakistan where

wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is staple food for more than 40-60% of the world’s population

(Nawaz et al., 2013). Its grain is the main source of protein and carbohydrates. It is cultivated

in Rabi season (October–November to March–April) which is usually prone to short term

drought (Kamran et al., 2009) as a result of climate change, seasonal variation, uneven

spatiotemporal distribution of rainfall and decreasing capacity of water reservoirs. For the

reason, a dire need to explore ways and means to achieve yield goals under reduced water

availability (Hussain et al., 2014; Nawaz et al., 2015).

Plants show complex responses to water deficit involving many biochemical and

physiological processes such as the production of antioxidants (enzymatic and non-enzymatic),

proteins and mineral elements (Zhu, 2002). The impacts of drought on crop plant varies

depending upon growth stages, duration, frequency and intensity of drought (Pospíšilová et al.,

2000). Seed emergence is the first stage of plant growth which is highly sensitive to water

deficit condition (Ali et al., 2007) whereas in semiarid to arid climates of Pakistan, low

moisture availability at critical growth stages is the main growth limiting factor. However,

seedling establishment under these stressful conditions is a good indicator for determining crop

development and maturity (Rauf et al., 2012). The reduction in soil moisture or osmotic

potential significantly decreases the mass flow and diffusion of mineral nutrients, ultimately

reducing the availability of nutrients to plant roots which diminishes the yield and yield

components (Arora et al., 2002). The oxidative stress resulting from water deficit disrupts

photosynthetic system and triggers the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in crop

plants so inhibiting the normal growth of plants (Farooq et al., 2009). To ameliorate the

damaging effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS), plants produce antioxidants (enzymes and

non-enzymes) which convert H2O2, O- and OH- into nontoxic forms (Banowetz, 1998).

Drought tolerance is involved in the production or inhibition of various proteins in

plants under stress. The profiling of these proteins illustrates the taxonomic and evolutionary

aspects of various crop species due to abiotic stresses (Khan et al., 2007; Iqbal et al., 2005).

The plants have intrinsic ability to cope adverse environmental conditions through

37

avoidance/tolerance/adaptation. Therefore, identification of drought tolerant/ resistant wheat

cultivars is necessary to feed the ever increasing population under reduced water conditions

(Baligar et al., 2001).

Following the literature and water scarcity situation in Pakistan, the objective of the

study is to screen drought tolerant wheat cultivars on the basis of antioxidant defense potential,

growth, yield parameters and grain protein profiling under water deficit conditions.

3.3 Materials and Methods

3.3.1 Experimental layout

The experiment was conducted in pots during Rabi season 2012-13 under net house conditions

at Experimental Farm, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Bahauddin Zakariya

University, Multan, Pakistan. The climate of the Multan region is semi-arid and subtropical.

The meteorological data for Rabi season 2012-13 is presented in Figure 1. The experimental

design was completely randomized design (CRD) in factorial arrangement with three

replications. There are two factors including nine approved wheat cultivars widely grown in

the drought prone areas of Southern Punjab i.e. Fareed-2006 (06), Millat-2011 (11), Miraj-

2008 (08), AARI-2011 (11), Lassani-2006 (06), AAS-2011 (11), Shafaq-2006 (06), Sahar-

2006 (06) and Punjab-2011 (11) and two moisture regimes based on field capacity (FC 100%

and FC 50%). The pot depth x width was 15 x 9 inches filled with 10 kg soil in a mixture of

1:1:1 (weight basis) sand, silt and clay. The maximum water holding capacity/ field capacity

of the soil was 15% on weight basis. Experimental soil was clay loam having ECe 2.42 dS m-

1 and pH 8.7, and belonged to Sindhlianwali soil series (fine silty, mixed, hyperthermic, sodic

haplocambids in USDA classification) (Farooq et al., 2014). Moisture level was established in

pots prior to sowing and maintained up to harvesting on the basis of soil water holding capacity

through moisture meter (Model: Irrometer Tensiometer “R”, Irrometer Company, Riverside,

California, USA). Fifteen seeds were sown in each pot on 1st November, 2012. Fifteen days

after sowing, thinning was done maintaining three seedlings per pot. The recommended

practices were adopted throughout the growing season of the crop. The observations recorded

during course of study for various growth, yield and biochemical aspects were as following;

3.3.2 Emergence %age

The number of seeds emergence were counted daily for 10 days up to completion of

germination. Seeds were considered germinated, when the radical obtained 2 mm length.

Emergence (%) was calculated using the following formula;

38

Emergence (%) = (Emergence seed/ total seed) ×100

3.3.3 Emergence index (GI)

The emergence index (GI) was calculated as described by the Association of Official Seeds

Analyst (Anonymous, 1983) by using the following formula;

countfinalofDays

seedsemergedofNo.

countfirstofDays

seedsemergedofNo.GI

3.3.4 Time to 50% Emergence

Time taken to 50% emergence (T50) was calculated described by Farooq et al. (2005).

((N+1)/2) – (ni)

T50 = ti + [----------------]× (tj - ti)

(nj – ni)

Where N is the final number of germinated seeds and ni and nj cumulative number of seeds

germinated by adjacent counts at times ti and tj when ni<N+1/2<nj.

3.3.5 Growth and yield

The plant height, number of grains per spike, 100-grain weight and grain yield per plant were

recorded following standard procedures.

3.3.6 Biochemical analysis

The flag leaves of wheat cultivars were randomly selected from each treatment to measure their

antioxidants status, at three critical growth stages (leaf initiation, booting and heading) and

freezed at -20°C. For determination of enzymatic antioxidants, leaf samples were extracted in

50 mM phosphate buffer (pH 7.8). The extract was centrifuged at 15000 rpm at 4°C and the

supernatant was used for assay of peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT) (Chance and Maehly,

1955) and super oxide dismutase (SOD) (Giannopolitis and Ries, 1997). Total phenolic

contents (TPC) were determined by adopting the method described by Waterhouse (2001).

Ascorbate contents were determined following the protocol of Ainsworth and Gillespie (2007).

Chlorophyll contents (“a” and “b”) were determined only at heading stage after extraction in

80% acetone following the method of Nagata and Yamashta (1992) by using Nano-

spectrophotometer (UV-4000, O.R.I. Germany). Leaf potassium (K+) contents were estimated

by using the protocol of USDA Laboratory Staff, (1954) after oven drying leaf samples at 70°C

and digesting leaf powder in concentrated nitric acid (HNO3) and perchloric acid (HCLO4) at

2:1 ratio (Di-acid mixture) according to the method adapted by Rashid (1986).

3.3.7 Grain SDS-PAGE

39

The extraction of grain crude protein for SDS-PAGE was done by taking 0.5 gram grain sample

from each wheat cultivar grown at 100% & 50% FC and ground in 2 mL extraction buffer (50

mM Tris-HCL, pH 7.5) to make the slurry. The crude extracts were centrifuged at 17000 rpm

for 15 min. The supernatant was used for 1D SDS-page. Protein profiling through 1D SDS-

page was carried out by the modified method of Laemmli’s (1970). The protein of the crude

extract was estimated using the Bradford method (Bradford, 1976) and equal amount of protein

extract (10 µg) loaded onto each well. The samples of wheat cultivars were run along with

molecular weight marker of 10 to 200 KDa as a standard at 60 V for 3 h. The polyacrylamide

gel was stained using CBB R250 for 4 h and destaining was carried out using glacial acetic

acid, methanol and water in ratio 2:5:53 respectively.

3.3.8 Statistical Analysis

Data were computed and analyzed using Fisher’s analysis of variance technique and LSD test

(p≤0.01) was used to compare differences among the mean values (Steel et al., 1997).

Moreover, Microsoft Excel Program 2013 was used for the graphical description of data.

3.4 Results

Water deficit levels affected the emergence attributes of nine wheat cultivars (Table 1) but the

significance (p≤0.01) of the impact variable with respect to final emergence percentage,

emergence index and time to 50% emergence (T50). Results demonstrated that AARI-11 took

maximum days for final emergence percentage and emergence index under both non-stress and

drought conditions (Table 3.1). The interaction effect of T50 was non-significant but among the

cultivars, AARI-11 obtained maximum T50 at 50% FC while Millat-11 took minimum time in

this regard. Growth and yield components showed significant decrease in all the wheat cultivars

under water deficit stress as compared to non-stressed well-watered condition (Table 3.2).

Maximum plant height was observed in AARI-11 at 50% FC followed by its respective values

under 100% FC. Results described that AARI-11 performed better exhibiting the maximum

number of grains per spike at 50% FC but greater values were observed in 100-grain weight

and grain yield per plant under 100% FC whereas least values for these attributes were obtained

in Millat-11 during both irrigation treatments (Table 3.2). As far as enzymatic activity is

concerned, a significant increasing trend was observed from leaf initiation to booting and

heading stages in all the wheat cultivars under drought stress and well-watered conditions

(Table 3.3). The POD, CAT and SOD activities were increased in wheat cultivars from

vegetative to reproductive stages and reached up to its maximum at heading under 100% FC

40

and 50% FC, respectively (Table 3.3). The performance of AARI-11 was better for activities

of POD, CAT, SOD, AsA and TPC contents (Table 3.4) which were highest at heading stage

as compared to leaf initiation stage at 50% water regime than 100% and lowest in Millat-11.

TPC was lowest in Lassani-06 at booting and heading but Fareed-06 showed its lowest values

at leaf initiation stage. The highest chlorophyll contents “a” and “b” at heading stage were

observed in AARI-11 while other varieties showed variable results under both water regimes

(Table 3.4). Comparing the data regarding leaf K+ contents, wheat cultivars showed significant

results among two field capacity levels at leaf initiation and booting stages but maximum

values were observed at heading stage under both watered treatments (Table 3.4).

Electrophorogram showed the grain proteinaceous bands of different wheat varieties under

100% FC and 50% FC (Figure 3.2). The results depicted variations in bands on both water

levels (well-watered and stressed watered) from 10 to 60 KDa but the major band was shown

at 75-76 KDa in AARI-11 under 50% FC whereas no clear bands were obtained in gel for

grain protein of plants grown at 100% FC.

3.5 Discussion

Deficiency of water affected the emergence of studied wheat cultivars as compared to well-

watered condition. Highest final emergence percentage and emergence index observed in

AARI-11 might be due to its genetic tolerance to face the scarcity of water, germination

potential and vigor of seeds (Khakwani et al., 2011). Drought stress imposed negative effects

on the anthesis stage which led to minimum number of grains per spike in Millat-11 and AAS-

11 but AARI-11 was least affected and produced the largest number of grains (Shirazi et al.,

2014). Cultivar AARI-11 recorded maximum 100-grain weight and grain yield per plant. It

may be due to efficient photosynthetic activities by increased nutrients uptake and more

Chlorophyll “a” and “b” contents in plant leaves at the flowering stage (Baque et al., 2006)

which maintained the green appearance in plant leaves (Moucheshi et al., 2012). On the other

hand, Millat-11, Punjab-11 and Lasani-11 showed least outputs. Siddique et al. (2000)

observed the similar results and suggested, it might be due to the shrinkage of grain size under

shortage of water.

Superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase enzymes are the important antioxidants

which help the plants to tolerate drought like situation. In AARI-11, higher enzymatic (SOD,

CAT, POD) activities especially at reproductive stages might be due to more H2O2 scavenging

system which is actively involved in detoxification of oxidative stress induced by water

41

deficiency (Nazarli and Faraji, 2011; Mafakheri et al., 2011; Saed-moucheshi et al., 2012).

Ascorbic acid (AsA) plays a significant role in non-enzymatic antioxidant which protects the

plant from the damaging impact of reactive oxygen species. Maximum production of AsA at

vegetative and reproductive stages of all wheat cultivars might have triggered the antioxidant

system for effectively defense against ROS and improve the photosynthetic activities in plants

(Amira and Qados, 2014). The reduction in the total phenolic contents (TPC) at vegetative (leaf

initiation) and reproductive (booting and heading) stages caused the maximum breakdown of

photosynthetic pigments like chlorophyll contents in the wheat cultivars under drought stress.

The maximum concentration of K+ contents in AARI-11 at all critical stages might have

increased the stomatal conductance whereas Millat-11 as a sensitive variety showed the lowest

values of K+ contents not only in drought stress but also in normal watered condition (Yasmeen

et al., 2013).

The major band of grain protein in AARI-11 under stressed condition of 50% FC

illustrated high proteolytic activity and genetic tolerance to face the drought conditions as

compared to 100% FC. Millat-11 proved the sensitive wheat cultivar by producing the

negligible protein banding pattern under both well-watered and stressed conditions. This result

is related to the work of Shuaib et al. (2010) so it is concluded that the observed protein of 76-

78 KDa might be glutenin in AARI-11 wheat cultivar.

3.6 Conclusion

Taking in conjunction the results of the present study, it is concluded that AARI-11 showed

prominent performance at various critical growth stages and proved as a tolerant wheat cultivar

under water deficit condition.

42

Figure 3.1. Monthly averages of meteorological data for growing period of wheat crop during 2012-

2013

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

October November December January February March April

Rel

ati

ve

Hu

mit

idit

y (

%)

an

d R

ain

fall

(mm

)

Tem

per

atu

re (

ºC)

Mean Max Temp (ºC) Mean Min Temp (ºC)

Relative Humidity (%) Rainfall (mm)

2012 2013

43

Table 3.1. Emergence parameters of wheat cultivars under drought stress conditions.

Means not sharing the same letters differ significantly at 1% probability level. EP= Emergence parameters, FC=Field capacity

EP Field Capacity Fareed-06 Millat -11 Miraj-08 AARI-11 Lasani-06 AAS-11 Shafaq-06 Sahar-06 Punjab-11 Mean

Emergence

%age

50% FC 57.78 b.d 33.33 d 51.11 cd 82.22 ab 66.66 a.c 77.77 ab 86.66 a 46.66 cd 84.44 a 75.31 a

100% FC 80.00 ab 48.89 cd 77.78 ab 88.89 a 82.22 ab 88.89 a 48.89 cd 80.00 ab 82.22 ab 65.18 b

Mean 68.89 ab 41.11 c 64.44 b 85.55 a 74.44 ab 83.33 a 67.77 ab 63.33 b 83.33 a

LSD values (0.01) Field capacity, Cultivars and Field capacity×Cultivars 8.4126, 17.846 and 25.238 respectively

Emergence Index

(Days)

50% FC 4.71 d 4.94 d 5.17 cd 9.29 ab 6.26 cd 5.60 cd 4.36 d 7.10b.d 6.04 cd 6.30 a

100% FC 6.46 b.d 4.79 d 6.31 cd 9.51a 7.99 a.c 4.60 d 6.76 a.d 5.20 cd 5.07 d 5.94 a

Mean 5.58 bc 4.86 c 5.74 bc 9.40 a 7.13 b 5.10 c 5.56 bc 6.15 bc 5.56 bc

LSD values (0.01) Field capacity, Cultivars and Field capacity×Cultivars 0.6034, 1.2801 and 1.8103 respectively

Time to 50% Emergence

(T50)(Days)

50% FC 14.66 ab 12.00 ab 15.66 ab 18.00 a 15.00 ab 15.33 ab 16.66 a 16.66 a 15.33 ab 15.48 a

100% FC 15.66 ab 9.00 b 16.66 a 13.66 ab 15.00 ab 15.66 ab 16.66 a 16.33 a 13.33 ab 14.66 a

Mean 15.16 a 10.50 b 16.16 a 15.83 a 15.00 a 15.50 a 16.66 a 16.50 a 14.33 ab

LSD values (0.01) Field capacity, Cultivars and Field capacity×Cultivars 1.4393, 3.0533 and 4.3180 respectively

44

Table 3.2. Seedlings growth and yield components of wheat cultivars under drought stress conditions.

Means not sharing the same letters differ significantly at 1% probability level. Y= Yield, YP= Yield parameters, FC=Field capacity

Y and YP Field

Capacity

Fareed-06 Millat -11 Miraj-08 AARI-11 Lasani-06 AAS-11 Shafaq-06 Sahar-06 Punjab-11 Mean

Plant height

(cm)

50% FC 56.46 d 40.43 ef 54.23 d 83.43 a 35.00 g 42.00 e 34.00 g 36.16 fg 45.33 e 47.45 b

100% FC 63.16 c 41.16 ef 45.00 e 74.33 b 54.33 d 53.50 d 41.66 e 44.00 e 32.40 g 49.95 a

Mean 59.81 b 40.80 e 49.61 c 78.88 a 44.66 d 47.75 cd 37.83 e 40.08 e 38.86 e

LSD values (0.01) Field capacity, Cultivars and Field capacity×Cultivars 1.8094, 3.8383and 5.4281 respectively

Number of

grains per

spike

50% FC 52.55 b.e 35.11 gh 38.00 fg 64.66 a 51.55 b.e 43.00 e.g 51.88 b.e 44.67 d.g 37.88 fg 46.59 a

100% FC 55.33 a.d 25.22 h 52.88 a.e 61.00 ab 57.11 a.c 36.55 f.h 44.11 d.g 47.55 c.f 42.55 e.g 46.92 a

Mean 53.94 bc 30.16 e 45.44 cd 62.83 a 54.33 ab 39.77 d 47.99 b.d 46.11 b.d 40.22 d

LSD values (0.01) Field capacity, Cultivars and Field capacity×Cultivars 4.0236, 8.5353 and 12.071 respectively

100-grain

weight (g)

50% FC 3.33 de 1.53 h 3.41 de 4.64 ab 2.10 f.h 4.49 bc 2.59 ef 2.45 fg 2.27 f.h 2.98 b

100% FC 3.70 cd 1.74 gh 2.51 fg 5.43 a 3.34 de 4.54 b 3.65 d 3.50 d 2.32 f.h 3.41 a

Mean 3.51 b 1.63 e 2.96 bc 5.04 a 2.72 cd 4.52 a 3.12 bc 2.97 bc 2.29 d

LSD values (0.01) Field capacity, Cultivars and Field capacity×Cultivars 0.2470, 0.5239 and 0.7409 respectively

Grain yield

per plant (g)

50% FC 3.30 fg 1.63 g 3.86 d.f 9.40 b 2.76 fg 4.00 d.f 3.46 e.g 2.66 fg 4.30 d.f 3.93 b

100% FC 5.40 c.e 2.43 fg 5.50 c.e 12.33 a 2.53 fg 6.56 c 5.83 cd 5.40 c.e 6.90 c 5.87 a

Mean 4.35 bc 2.03 e 4.68 bc 10.86 a 2.65 de 5.28 bc 4.65 bc 4.03 cd 5.60 b

LSD values (0.01) Field capacity, Cultivars and Field capacity×Cultivars 0.6874, 1.4583 and 2.0623 respectively

45

Table 3.3. Status of enzymatic antioxidants in wheat cultivars at leaf initiation, booting and heading stages under drought stress conditions.

Means not sharing the same letters differ significantly at 1% probability level.

POD= Peroxidase, CAT= Catalase, SOD= Superoxide Dismutase, AsA=Ascorbic Acid, FC=Field capacity

Antioxidant Field

capacity

Fareed-06 Millat-11 Miraj-08 AARI-11 Lassani-06 AAS-11 Shafaq-06 Sahar-06 Punjab-11 Mean Mean

POD

(mmol

min-1

mg

protein-1)

Leaf

Initiation

50% FC 6.08 m.p 2.52 w.z 2.80 v.y 23.33 b 1.27 z.c 8.85 g.i 11.45 f 5.99 m.q 1.83 y.b 7.13 d 5.42 c

100% FC 4.06 s.u 0.04 c 0.66 bc 17.46 d 0.97 a.c 2.04 x.b 2.37 w.a 3.41 t.x 2.48 v.z 3.72 f

Booting 50% FC 8.21 g.k 3.84 t.v 6.54 l.o 28.53 a 4.57 q.t 11.53 f 13.68 e 7.54 i.l 4.75 p.t 9.91 b 8.03 b

100% FC 6.58 l.o 2.88 u.y 3.73 t.w 18.58 d 3.59 t.w 5.36 o.s 4.57 q.t 5.39 o.s 4.77 p.t 6.16 e

Heading 50% FC 9.09 gh 5.71 n.r 8.84 g.i 29.77 a 6.72 l.o 13.89 e 14.870 e 9.38 g 7.72 h.l 11.78 a 10.03 a

100% FC 8.44 g.j 4.54 r.t 5.51 n.r 20.56 c 6.68 l.o 7.34 k.m 6.85 k.n 7.93 h.l 6.71 l.o 8.28 c

Mean 7.08 d 3.26 g 4.68 e 23.04 a 3.97 f 8.17 c 8.96 b 6.61 d 4.71 e

LSD values (0.01) Field capacity, cultivars, critical growth stages individual and three way interaction 0.4778, 0.5852, 0.3379 and 1.4335 respectively

CAT

(μ mol

min-1

mg

protein-1)

Leaf

Initiation

50% FC 2.84 u.z 4.20 r.w 6.08 o.s 10.35 i.l 3.94 s.x 2.44 u.z 1.10 yz 1.23 yz 4.42 r.v 4.07 e 3.26 c

100% FC 0.52 z 1.85 w.z 2.15 v.z 3.42 t.y 1.50 x.z 2.69 u.z 2.32 u.z 1.94 w.z 5.73 p.t 2.46 f

Booting 50% FC 8.11 l.p 7.22 n.q 13.32 f.h 16.78 b.d 10.88 h.k 9.10 k.n 7.99 l.p 8.32 l.o 7.43 n.p 9.91 c 8.98 b

100% FC 6.46 o.r 4.77 q.u 7.88 m.p 10.84 i.k 8.11 l.p 7.77 m.p 9.21 k.n 7.95 l.p 9.45 j.n 8.05 d

Heading 50% FC 14.55 c.g 11.67 h.j 17.67 b 25.67 a 14.22 e.g 13.33f.h 14.55 c.g 11.45 h.k 15.997 b.e 15.45 a 14.48 a

100% FC 12.77 f.i 9.89 j.m 15.21 c.f 16.89 bc 12.55 g.i 15.92b.e 14.22 e.g 9.66 j.n 14.44 d.g 13.50 b

Mean 7.54 de 6.60 e 10.38 b 13.99 a 8.53 cd 8.54 c 8.23 cd 6.76 e 9.58 b

LSD values (0.01) Field capacity, cultivars, critical growth stages individual and three way interaction 0.8169, 1.0005, 0.5776 and 2.4506 respectively

SOD

(IU

min-1

mg-1

protein

)

Leaf

Initiation

50% FC 18.22 p.y 7.44 yz 18.33 p.y 69.09 ab 21.95 m.v 21.47 n.v 44.48 e.g 29.96 i.o 20.24 o.w 27.91 c 25.94 c

100% FC 24.06 k.u 4.46 z 8.14 x.z 53.86 c.e 11.08 v.z 27.96 i.q 25.80 k.t 25.12 k.t 35.21 g.k 23.97 d

Booting 50% FC 25.66 k.t 15.22 t.z 25.10 k.t 73.11 ab 26.66 j.s 27.54 i.r 48.12 d.f 31.46 i.n 26.67 j.s 33.28 b 30.57 b

100% FC 23.83 l.u 9.54 w.z 15.78 s.y 57.33 cd 16.43 r.y 31.45 i.n 31.77 i.n 27.56 i.r 37.10 f.j 27.86 c

Heading 50% FC 28.77 i.q 17.99 q.y 29.21 i.p 76.90 a 28.56 i.q 33.67 g.l 53.33 c.e 38.10 f.i 32.89 h.m 37.71 a 34.78 a

100% FC 25.81 k.t 13.66 u.z 21.11 n.v 62.48 bc 18.76 p.x 32.88 h.m 34.88 g.l 34.10 g.l 42.99 e.h 31.85 b

Mean 24.39 d 11.38 f 19.61 e 65.46 a 20.57 de 29.16 c 39.73 b 31.05 c 32.52 c

LSD values (0.01) Field capacity, cultivars, critical growth stages individual and three way interaction 3.7221, 4.5586, 2.6319 and 11.166 respectively

AsA

(m.

mole

g-1)

Leaf

Initiation

50% FC 86.14 m.p 49.50 za 71.48 wx 101.69 cd 78.91 r.t 93.24 g.k 64.59 y 92.47 h.k 71.74 v.x 78.86 c 79.80 c

100% FC 85.48 n.p 41.19 b 64.09 y 99.09 c.f 84.84 n.q 97.05 d.h 86.14 m.p 91.79 i.l 77.09 s.u 80.75 b

Booting 50% FC 92.44 h.k 51.77 z 74.88 t.w 106.77 ab 82.66 o.r 97.33 c.g 68.32 xy 100.00 c.e 80.44 q.s 83.84 a 82.96 b

100% FC 88.89 k.n 50.22 za 67.43 xy 97.22 d.h 82.22 p.r 93.45 g.k 87.04 l.o 94.88 f.j 77.34 s.u 82.07 b

Heading 50% FC 92.11 i.k 45.65 ab 76.14 s.w 110.21 a 84.55 n.q 100.21 c.e 73.33 u.w 102.06 bc 76.54 s.v 84.53 a 84.78 a

100% FC 87.10 l.o 53.76 z 64.78 y 101.77 cd 90.60 j.m 94.66 f.j 92.44 h.k 96.33 e.i 83.78 o.q 85.02 a

Mean 88.69 c 48.68 g 69.80 f 102.79 a 83.96 d 95.99 b 78.65 e 96.26 b 77.82 e

LSD values (0.01) Field capacity, cultivars, critical growth stages individual and three way interaction 1.6062, 1.9672, 1.1358 and 4.8186 respectively

46

Table 3.4. Status of non-enzymatic antioxidants and mineral contents in wheat cultivars at leaf initiation, booting and heading stages under drought stress conditions

Means not sharing the same letters differ significantly at 1% probability level. TPC= Total phenolic contents, FC=Field capacity

Antioxidants &

minerals

Field

capacity

Fareed-06 Millat-11 Miraj-08 AARI-11 Lassani-06 AAS-11 Shafaq-06 Sahar-06 Punjab-11 Mean Mean

TPC

(mg g-1)

Leaf

Initiation

50% FC 1.15 y 2.87 s.y 6.19 o 18.17 e.g 1.54 xy 4.00 p.v 4.73 o.s 10.24 l.n 4.03 p.v 5.88 d 4.32 c

100% FC 2.40 t.y 1.94 v.y 3.49 r.x 4.33 o.t 2.40 t.y 2.07 u.y 2.43 t.y 4.05 o.v 1.70 w.y 2.76 f

Booting 50% FC 4.98 o.s 4.77 o.s 8.64 n 20.23 e 3.93 p.v 4.10 o.u 5.75 op 13.33 i.k 5.23 o.r 7.88 c 6.18 b

100% FC 3.67 p.x 3.23 r.y 4.22 o.u 8.99 mn 2.33 t.y 3.78 p.w 4.76 os 5.68 o.q 3.56 q.x 4.47 e

Heading 50% FC 19.97 ef 14.67 hi 23.65 d 64.77 a 13.56 ij 16.77 gh 31.21 b 27.73 c 24.58 d 26.32a 21.48 a

100% FC 11.23 kl 12.01 j.l 17.97 fg 33.11 b 10.87 lm 13.56 ij 16.91 g 19.74 ef 14.33 i 16.6 b

Mean 7.23 e 6.58 ef 10.69 c 24.93 a 5.77 f 7.38 e 10.97 c 13.46 b 8.90 d

LSD values (0.01) Field capacity, cultivars, critical growth stages individual and three way interaction 0.7184, 0.8798, 0.5080 and 2.1551 respectively

K+ contents

(mg g-1)

Leaf

Initiation

50% FC 0.88 k.n 0.35 s.u 1.16 h.k 1.79 ab 0.54 p.t 0.38 s.u 0.72 l.q 1.50 c.g 0.73 l.q 0.90 d 0.76 c

100% FC 0.721 l.q 0.39 r.u 0.68 m.r 1.31 e.h 0.24 u 0.31 tu 0.55 o.t 0.51 q.u 0.88 k.n 0.62 e

Booting 50% FC 1.34 e.h 0.74 l.q 1.43 d.h 1.83 a 0.99 i.l 0.51 q.u 0.81 l.p 1.47 c.g 0.74 l.q 1.09 b 1.04 b

100% FC 1.21 g.j 0.76 l.q 1.25 f.i 1.59 a.e 0.85 l.n 0.54 p.t 0.64 n.s 0.78 l.q 1.33 e.h 0.99 c

Heading 50% FC 1.57 a.e 0.84 l.o 1.60 a.e 1.75 a.c 0.95 j.m 0.85 l.n 0.87 k.n 1.54 a.f 0.79 l.q 1.20 a 1.15 a

100% FC 1.37 d.h 0.76 l.q 1.43 d.h 1.52 b.f 0.79 l.q 0.78 l.q 0.84 l.o 0.75 l.q 1.67 a.d 1.10ab

Mean 1.186 bc 0.64 ef 1.26 b 1.63 a 0.73 e 0.56 f 0.74 e 1.09 cd 1.02 d

LSD values (0.01) Field capacity, cultivars, critical growth stages individual and three way interaction 0.0981, 0.1202, 0.0694 and 0.2943 respectively

Leaf Chlorophyll

“a” (mg g-1)

50% FC 0.84 cd 0.91 c 0.16 h 2.53 a 0.51 e.g 0.84 cd 1.23 b 0.64 d.f 1.43 b 1.01 a

100% FC 0.19 h 0.18 h 0.61 d.f 0.77 c.e 0.26 gh 0.11 h 0.64 d.f 0.12 h 0.49 fg 0.37 b

Mean 0.51 c 0.55 c 0.38 c 1.65 a 0.38 c 0.47 c 0.93 b 0.38 c 0.96 b

LSD values (0.01) Field capacity, Cultivars and Field capacity×Cultivars 0.0868, 0.1841 and 0.2603 respectively

Leaf Chlorophyll

“b” (mg g-1)

50% FC 0.39 gh 0.33 hi 1.23 de 2.08 a 1.10 de 1.37 cd 1.67 bc 0.04 i 0.99 ef 1.02 a

100% FC 0.05 i 0.10 hi 0.66 g 1.86 ab 1.57 bc 1.17 de 0.06 i 0.67 fg 1.04 e 0.80 b

Mean 0.22 d 0.21 d 0.94 c 1.97 a 1.34 b 1.27 b 0.86 c 0.35 d 1.01 c

LSD values (0.01) Field capacity, Cultivars and Field capacity×Cultivars 0.2303, 0.1086 and 0.3257 respectively

47

1. Fareed-06, 2. Millat -11 3. Miraj-08 4. AARI-11 5. Lasani-06 6. AAS-11 7. Shafaq-06 8. Sahar-06 9. Punjab-11

Fig. 3.2. Protein profiling of wheat cultivars in response to drought stress conditions

9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 M 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 M

100% Field capacity (Non-reduced) 50% Field capacity (Non-reduced)

48

Chapter 4

SEED PRIMING: A POTENTIAL STRATAGEM FOR

AMELIORATING IRRIGATION WATER DEFICIT IN

WHEAT

4.1 Abstract

Drought is one of the primary cause for reduced agricultural growth and yield in the world

today. Therefore, present study was conducted to evaluate the potential of synthetic and natural

priming agents in improving performance of drought sensitive (Millat-11) and tolerant (AARI-

11) wheat cultivars under various irrigation water deficits. Seeds of both wheat cultivars were

primed with water (hydro), moringa leaf extract (MLE30), KCl (2%) and benzyl amino purine

(BAP) (50 mg L-1) along with on farm priming. Hydro-priming kept as control. Irrigation water

deficit were comprised of without deficit at crown root initiation (CRI), tillering (T), booting

(B), and heading (H) stages (control) {CRI+T+B+H} and irrigation water deficits at {H},

{T+H}, {CRI+H}, {CRI+B}, {T+B} growth stages. Seeds primed with MLE30 and BAP,

significantly improved the grain yield. MLE30-priming showed maximum increase in the

concentrations of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, POD, and CAT) and non-enzymes (AsA and

TPC) under irrigations water deficit imposed at (CRI+H) stage. Nevertheless, benefit cost ratio

(BCR) also showed that the seed priming with MLE30 is an efficient and economical technique

as compared to BAP, KCl, on farm and hydro priming in improving the productivity of wheat

cultivar AARI-11 under all observed irrigation water deficit conditions. Ultimately, it is

concluded that MLE30 is a GOD gifted naturally existing and cost effective priming tool for

maximizing wheat yield owing to its stress ameliorating potential.

Keywords: priming agents, MLE; antioxidant, irrigation water deficit, wheat critical growth

stages.

Running title: Seed priming mitigates water-deficit regimes in wheat

This study has been submitted in Archive of agronomy and soil science citated as Hamid

Nawaz, Nazim Hussain, Azra Yasmeen, 2016. Seed priming: a potential stratagem for

ameliorating irrigation water deficit in wheat. (Reviewer processing)

49

Abbreviations: MLE, moringa leaf extract; BAP, benzyl amino purine; CRI, crown root

initiation; T, tillering; B, booting; H, heading; LAI, leaf area index; SLAD, seasonal leaf area

duration; CGR, crop growth rate; NAR, net assimilation rate; ROS, reactive oxygen species;

SOD, super oxide dismutase; POD, peroxidase; CAT, catalase; AsA, ascorbic acid; TPC, total

phenolic contents; chl., chlorophyll; BCR, benefit cost ratio.

4.2. Introduction

Wheat is an important cereal crop serving as staple food for more than 1/3rd of the world’s

population. But global climate change events have increased the frequency of drought spells

leading to less harvest of the crop (Richards et al., 2001). The water deficit conditions resulted

in reduced chlorophyll contents, leaf area, number and weight of grains with poor grain set and

development in wheat (Farooq et al., 2014). The extent of yield loss is directly related to the

duration of water stress as well as crop growth stages at which it happened. The irrigation water

deficit at crown root initiation to milking growth stage caused 30-37% yield reduction in wheat

as compared to normal irrigation at the said growth stages (Kahlown et al., 2003). Similarly,

various researchers observed yield reduction of wheat up to 37, 57, 18–53, 11–39, 1–30 and 9–

78% with mild to severe water deficit at booting to maturity (Shamsi et al., 2010), heading

(Balla et al., 2011), pre-anthesis (Majid et al., 2007), anthesis (Jatoi et al., 2011), post-anthesis

(Eskandari and Kazemi, 2010) and grain filling (Guoth et al., 2009) stages, respectively.

However, it is a dire need to identify comparatively more critical pre and post anthesis growth

stages of wheat for irrigation requirements under field conditions. The main aim of current

study is to minimize yield reduction under limited availability of water with some improved

management practices.

Previously, various management strategies including increased seed rates (Coventry et al.,

1993), screening of drought tolerant wheat varieties (Abdolshahi et al., 2012), change in

planting time (Yan et al., 2008) and judicious management of available water resource by using

modern technologies (Hussain and Shah, 2002) have been practiced to mitigate the adverse

effects of water deficit. But limited degree of success was achieved as these were time

consuming and expansive technologies. However, seed priming is another time and cost

efficient, environment friendly and more practicable approach for induction of tolerance in

plants against upcoming stress events during their growth and development (Beckers et al.,

2006). Seed priming with polyethylene glycol (PEG), CaCl2, KCl, NaCl and growth regulators

such as salicylic acid, cytokinin, gibberellic acid (GA),and benzyl amino purine (BAP) has

been proved to be a simplest and effective technology to improve wheat tolerance under

stressed environments by modulating its antioxidant defense system (Farooq et al., 2014). This

50

technique can further be improved and more cost effective with the application of priming

agents natural in origin like Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MLE). MLE is an emerging natural

plant growth promoter, having a rich reserve of zeatin (Makkar et al., 2007), cytokinin (Zhang

and Ervin, 2008), total soluble protein, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants (Yasmeen

et al., 2013). These antioxidants slow down the formation of highly toxic hydroxyl radicals,

one of the reactive oxygen species (ROS),thereby improve the water use efficiency and protect

wheat plants from cellular damage (Huseynova et al., 2010).

The present study was designed to unveil the effects of irrigation water deficit at pre

and post-anthesis growth stages of wheat and ameliorating stress impact through different seed

priming agents with enhanced economic returns.

4.3. Material and methods

4.3.1 Plant material

In a preliminary experiment, AARI-11 and Millat-11 proved tolerant and sensitive under

drought, respectively (Nawaz et al., 2015). In present study the potential of priming for

invigoration of both varieties will be tested under irrigation water deficit field conditions.

4.3.2 Experimental layout

The experiment was conducted at the Experimental Area, Department of Agronomy, Faculty

of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan (71.43 °E,

30.2 °N and 122 m), Pakistan for two consecutive years (winter season 2013-2014 and 2014-

2015). Weather data for the both growing seasons was recorded (Figure 4.1). The soil of

experimental field was clay loam with EC, pH, organic matter, total nitrogen, available

phosphorus, potassium and zinc ( 2.42 dS m-1, 8.7, 0.85%, 0.055%,5.52, 301.5 and 0.37 mg kg-

1), respectively, during both growing seasons. Experimental soil was clay loam having ECe

2.42 dS m-1 and pH 8.7, and belonged to Sindhlianwali soil series (fine silty, mixed,

hyperthermic, sodic haplocambids in USDA classification) (Farooq et al., 2014). The

experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design having factorial arrangement

comprising of priming agents, wheat varieties and irrigation water deficit with a net plot size

of 3 × 5 m2 replicated thrice. The crop was sown with single row hand drill during second

fortnight of November during both years of the trial by using seed rate at 125 kg ha-1. Fertilizers

were applied at 120-100-62.5 kg NPK ha-1 using urea, single super phosphate and potassium

sulphate, respectively. Whole of the phosphorous, potash and half of nitrogen was mixed in

soil prior to sowing. Remaining nitrogen was applied in 2 equal splits, each at first and second

irrigation. Weeds were controlled through hand weeding.

51

4.3.3 Seed priming

The priming techniques were detailed as hydro-priming (Control), moringa leaf extract

(MLE30-priming), KCl (2%) (osmo-priming), benzyl amino purine (50 mg L-1) (BAP-

priming), and overnight soaking (on farm priming). The seeds were soaked for priming

treatments with seed: primer ratio (1:5) for 12 hours and dried at laboratory temperature for 6

hours (Nawaz et al., 2016).

4.3.4 Irrigation Water Deficits

The irrigation water deficits were designed based upon critical growth stages of wheat. These

were comprised of without deficit at crown root initiation (CRI), tillering (T), booting (B),

and heading (H) stages (control) and irrigation water deficits at {H}, {T+H}, {T+B}, {CRI+H}

and {CRI+B}.

4.3.5 Enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants

The sampling for biochemical attributes was done one week after the establishment of irrigation

water deficit. Flag leaves were sampled to analyze the antioxidant status. Total soluble proteins

were quantified by following the protocol devised by Bradford (1976). For determination of

antioxidants extraction followed by spectrophotometric estimation was followed. Phosphate

buffer (write down name of salts) with pH 7 was used for extraction of leaf samples. Referred

protocols were followed to determine peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase

(SOD) (Giannopolitis and Ries, 1977), ascorbic acid (AsA) (Ainsworth and Gillespie, 2007)

and total phenolic contents (TPC) (Waterhouse, 2001

4.3.6 Chlorophyll contents and mineral nutrients

Leaf Chlorophyll “a” and “b” (Nagata and Yamashta, 1992) and potassium (K+) contents

(Rashid, 1986) were estimated.

4.3.7 Plant allometry

Leaf area per plant (cm2) was measured at 30, 40, 55, 75 days-after sowing (DAS) during the

crop growth and development by using leaf area meter (CI-203, CID Inc., USA). Seasonal leaf

area duration (SLAD), crop growth rate (CGR) and net assimilation rate (NAR) was

determined following Hunt (1978).

Seasonal leaf area duration (SLAD) days:

SLAD = (LAI1 + LAI2) x (T2 – T1) / 2 (Yasmeen et al., 2012)

LAI1= Leaf area index at first time in the crop growing season

LAI2= Leaf area index at last time at crop maturity

Crop growth rate (CGR) (g m-2 day-1)

CGR = (W2 – W1) / (T2 – T1) (Yasmeen et al., 2012)

52

W1 = oven dried weight at first sampling

W2 = oven dried weight at second sampling

T1 = time of first sampling

T2 = time of second sampling

Net assimilation rate (NAR) (g m-2 day-1)

NAR = TDM/LAD

Where

TDM = Total dry matter accumulated (W2 - W1)

LAD = (LAI1 + LAI2) x (T2 – T1) / 2) (Yasmeen et al., 2012)

4.3.8 Yield and yield components

At maturity, the 1 m2 area from each experimental unit was harvested manually during second

fortnight of April. The plants were tied up into bundles and weighed to record biological yield.

These bundles were threshed individually to determine grain yield, number of grains per spike

and 1000-grain weight and straw yield.

4.3.9 Economic analysis

To check and compare the economics for most cost effective priming technique the total

expenditures including land rent, seedbed preparation, seed, sowing labor, fertilizers,

irrigations, weeds control measures and harvesting charges of the wheat crop were calculated.

Gross income was calculated from the present market prices of wheat grains and straw in

Pakistan. Net income was obtained by subtracting the total expenditures with gross income.

Benefit cost-ratio was estimated as a ratio of gross income to total expenditures.

4.3.10 Statistical analysis

Data were computed and analyzed using Fisher’s analysis of variance technique and

differences among mean values were compared following least significance difference at 5%

probability level (Steel et al., 1997).

4.4 Results

Irrigation deficit water-regimes showed significant differences between the wheat cultivars

(drought tolerant-AARI-11 and drought sensitive-Millat-11). Whereas the exogenous

application of different priming agents significantly improved the leaf area index (LAI) of

wheat at these stressful conditions. The maximum LAI at 55 DAS was observed in AARI-11

with MLE30 application under control and {CRI+H} water deficit stress condition, during both

years of the trial (Figure 4.2). Likewise, seed priming in both cultivars under water deficit stress

conditions at {CRI+H} and {CRI+B} stages improved SLAD as compared to control during

53

both years of the study. AARI-11 cultivar with MLE30 priming treatment showed significantly

higher values of SLAD under different irrigation deficit regimes (Figure 4.3). Results showed

linear increase in CGR till 75 DAS by the exogenous application of MLE30 in AARI-11 under

water deficit condition {CRI+H} during both years of the trial (Figure 4.4). However,

statistically similar difference were observed for CGR between wheat cultivars and priming

agents during both experimental years under all irrigation water treatments (Figure 4.4).

Results depicted that seed priming agents positively promoted NAR of both wheat cultivars.

Among various priming treatments, MLE30 and BAP performed better in increasing NAR of

AARI-11 under control conditions, followed by water deficit levels i.e. at {H} and

{CRI+H}during both years of the trial (Figure 4.5).

The maximum TSP was obtained in MLE30 followed BAP-primed leaves of AARI-11

under irrigation deficit at {CRI+H}, as compared to control during 2nd year of trial (Table 4.1).

Exogenously applied priming agents also mitigated the water-deficit stress at the critical

growth stages of wheat through the activation of enzymatic and non-enzymatic anti-oxidants

(Table 4.2-4.4). The greater amount of enzymatic antioxidants as SOD, POD, and CAT in

AARI-11 were found under irrigation deficit treatment{CRI+H}by the application of MLE30

priming during the both years of trial. However, priming with H2O, and KCl produced lowest

activities of SOD, POD and CAT under control and water deficit at H stage during both years

of study (Table 4.2-4.4). Drought-induced stress at {CRI+H} stages showed the maximum

value of AsA and TPC, compared with other treatments (Table 4.5-4.6). Millat-11 showed the

maximum AsA contents, owing to priming treatment with MLE30, BAP and KCl, under water

deficit condition at {CRI+H} stages during first year of the trial (Table 4.5). However, higher

values of TPC appeared in AARI-11 under water-stress level at {CRI+H} stages by the

exogenous application of MLE30 and BAP during the year-II (Table 4.6).

The interaction showed that cultivar AARI-11 produced maximum vales of chlorophyll

contents (“a” and “b”) under control followed by water stress levels at {H} and {CRI+H}

stages (Table 4.7-4.8). However, interaction behaved differently during the second year trial,

i.e. AARI-11 illustrated the highest values of chlorophyll (“a” and “b”) under water deficit at

heading stage {H}, as compared to control. (Table 4.7-4.8). The results regarding chlorophyll

contents indicated that the same trait varied non-significantly as a function of experimental

years (Table 4.7-4.8). The leaf K+ contents in all priming treatments of both cultivars under

different irrigation deficit regimes are presented in (Table 4.9). The results depicted that the

maximum leaf K+ contents were recorded for AARI-11 during year 2013-2014 and Millat-11

during experimental year 2014-2015. However, leaf K+ contents under priming treatments i.e.

54

MLE30 and BAP remained statistically at par under control level followed by water stress at

{CRI+H} stages (Table 4.9).

The results illustrated that the interactive effect of fertile tillers and grains/spike, under

irrigation deficit water-regimes for both wheat cultivars and exogenously applied priming

agents, was significant during both the years of study (Table 4.10). The interaction depicted

that MLE30 priming agent performed the best in AARI-11 cultivar for production of fertile

tillers and number of grains/spike under control, followed by irrigation deficit at {H} and

{CRI+H} stages (Table 4.10-4.11). The MLE30 application increased the 1000-grain weight

of both cultivars under various water deficit regimes during both years of trial whereas (Table

4.12), maximum grain yield was harvested from MLE30 and BAP treatments (Table 4.13).

However, the results depicted the significant interaction i.e. priming agents MLE30 and BAP

improved the grain yield to certain extent in cultivar (AARI-11) under control, followed by

{H} and {CRI+H}water deficit conditions during year-I and II (Table 4.13). Table 4.15 showed

the no-significance result but among the priming treatment, MLE30 enhanced harvest index

under the deficit irrigation water regimes (Table 4.15). However, interaction showed that

priming with MLE30 and BAP performed better under water stress, especially at the critical

growth stages {CRI+H} after control in AARI-11 by improving the biological yield during the

both years of trial (Table 4.14). Table. 4. 16 showed the economic analysis among the priming

agents and irrigation applications with average BCR of both cultivars, AARI-11 and Millat-

11.Priming with MLE30 in wheat cultivar obtained maximum BCR at {CRI+H} irrigation

deficit condition after control.

4.5. Discussion

The priming with MLE30 improved the LAI under various irrigation water deficits, especially

at the booting stage (55 DAS) which might be due to the maintenance of cell turgor pressure,

which resulted maximum uptake of water in leaves (Richards et al., 2001). As leaves are the

main units of assimilatory system of plant, therefore, promotion of LAI by MLE30 primed

seeds improved the drought tolerance of cultivar AARI-11 comparatively more than Millat-

11 under deficit irrigation levels (at which growth stage.). It might be responsible for greater

SLAD with better accomplishment of assimilates syntheses and partitioning especially at 55

DAS in both years of study (Hussain and Shah, 2002).This may increase in the accumulation

of photosynthates/carbohydrates, particularly during the critical growth phases of. CRI+T. In

the present study, improvement in CGR and NAR of both cultivars by using different priming

agents expressed the higher rates of dry matter accumulation that reduced the severity of

55

irrigation water-deficit stress condition on the critical growth and development stages of wheat.

MLE30 and BAP prominently ameliorated the irrigation water deficit-imposed stress which

might be due to the rapid dry matter accumulation during the irrigation deficit at crown root

initiation and heading stages (Maqsood et al., 2012).

In plant defense mechanism, both enzymatic (SOD, POD, CAT) and non-enzymatic

(AsA, TPC) antioxidants quenched the free radicals (ROS) and inhibited the oxidative reactions

during abiotic stress conditions (Huseynova et al., 2010). The study demonstrated the

increasing trend in the activity of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants in both wheat

cultivars (AARI-11 and Millt-11) in response to various drought-imposed stress conditions,

especially at CRI+H critical growth stages, and exogenous application of growth regulators.

MLE30 explored the most effective treatment in this regard. SOD, POD and CAT are the

essential enzymatic antioxidants and powerful scavenger of ROS molecules. These enzymes

persuade the ionic changes during oxidative reactions and might be responsible for activation

of the antioxidant defense system under deficit irrigation water-imposed stress conditions with

MLE30 seed treatment (Wang et al., 2014). Potential of MLE30-primed AARI-11 seeds

against drought stress, especially at CRI and H, might be due to enhanced activity of enzymatic

antioxidants (SOD, POD, CAT) causing a significant removal of ROS and balancing ion

homeostasis. Similarly, higher contents of non-enzymatic antioxidants (AsA, TPC) in AARI-

11 cultivar ameliorated the water stress at CRI+H growth stages during the both years of trial.

According to Yasmeen et al., (2013), stress tolerance at the critical growth stages of wheat can

be improved by applying MLE30, because MLE30 has a rich source of Zeatin (Foidle et al.,

2001). MLE30 priming alleviated the irrigation water deficit stress by producing the better

enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants that maintains the stay green characters in the

leaves of wheat cultivars (AARI-11 and Millat-11) (Yasmeen et al. 2012). The exogenous

application of MLE30 and BAP promoted the maximum content of ascorbic acid and total

phenolic contents that in return exerted the protective effects during the growth and

development of wheat with remediation of drought-induced oxidative stress. Thus, the increase

in TSP, SOD, POD, CAT, AsA and TPC contents was one of the important reasons to mitigate

irrigation water deficit conditions with MLE30 priming in wheat cultivars (Zhang and Ervin,

2008).

The assimilate syntheses of the crop is directly related to the leaf area and chlorophyll

contents. As the photosynthetic abilities of the plants always depended on these two. In the

present study, the maximum leaf chlorophyll contents (“a” and “b”) in control and irrigation

water deficit treatments (H} might be due to maximum availability of water which extended

56

the leaf area and also increased of chlorophyll contents (Araus, 2008). Increased leaf

chlorophyll contents of wheat cultivar AARI-11 by MLE30 and BAP application, was the

important factor in the alleviation of drought stress during critical growth stages CRI+T,

CRI+B, T+B and T+H and resulted in the expansion of the leaf area (Basra et al., 2011). Seed

priming with growth enhancers relieved the ionic stress exhibited during toxic oxidative

reactions which balanced the leaf and root membranes permeability (Abbasdokhta and

Edalatpishehb, 2013). Application of priming treatments with MLE30 and BAP promoted the

accumulation of K+ in leaves of cultivar AARI-11 and Millat-11under normal irrigation

(control) and drought stress at CRI+H. Results of both years of field trial narrated the clear

supremacy of MLE30 priming due to its nutritional effect on K+ contents that might interact

with specific ion carrier to alleviate the drought stress (Samson and Visser, 1989).

Wheat grain yield is sum total of the number of productive/fertile tillers (m-2) and grain

spike-1 (Hussain et al., 2010). Among the priming agents, MLE30 treatment promoted the seed

vigor of cultivar AARI-11 by enhancing the imbibition process which ultimately increased the

fertile tillers and grain spike-1, not only control, but also in water deficit conditions at H and

CRI+H critical growth stages of wheat plants (Farooq et al., 2014). Wheat gain yield is a final

shared effect of various yield and yield related traits like number of grains spike-1, grain size

and grain yield etc. established under a given set of crop husbandry conditions (Saini and

Westgate, 2000). Exogenous application of growth regulators increased the 1000-grain weight

of both cultivars (AARI-11 and Millat-11) which ultimately amplified the grain yield under

drought stress conditions during both years of study (Eskandari and Kazemi, 2010).

Tillering, booting and heading stages are the most critical stages of wheat to drought

stress and seed priming with growth enhancers, especially MLE30 and BAP under limited

irrigations at these stages promoted the stress tolerance (Wei et al., 2010). Seed priming

ameliorated the drought stress at crown root initiation {CRI} and heading {H} stages by

improving the grain-filling rate, leading to increased grain yield and harvest index during the

both years of trail (Gupta et al., 2001). The MLE30 priming improved the harvest index of both

cultivars during both years which might be due to efficient partitioning of assimilates for

developing grains (Guoth et al., 2009). Economic analysis also indicated the maximum BCR

in case of MLE30 application due to its low cost and easy availability.

57

4.6 Conclusion

The present study concluded that irrigation water deficit reduced the wheat productivity but the

seed priming agent MLE30, helped in modulating the endogenous antioxidants activities and

contents to mitigate the loss of grain yield against water stress especially at crown root initiation

and heading stages.

Fig: 4.1. Meteorological data for growing period of crops during the year 2013-2014 and 2014-2015

0.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

40.0

50.0

60.0

70.0

80.0

0.0

5.0

10.0

15.0

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25.0

30.0

35.0

40.0

October November December January February March April

Rel

ati

ve

Hu

mit

idit

y (

%)

an

d R

ain

fall

(m

m)

Tem

per

atu

re (

ºC)

Mean Max Temp (ºC) Mean Min Temp (ºC)

Relative Humidity (%) Rainfall (mm)

2013 2014

0.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

40.0

50.0

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70.0

80.0

90.0

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October November December January February March April Rel

ati

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Hu

mit

idit

y (

%)

an

d R

ain

fall

(m

m)

Tem

per

atu

re (

Cº)

2014 2015

58

Fig. 4.2. Influence of different seed priming agents on leaf area index (LAI) of wheat cultivars under applied irrigation water deficit conditions ±S.E during

2013-2014 (Year-I), 2014-2015 (Year-II) {crown root initiation (CRI), tillering (T), booting (B), heading (H) stages}

59

Fig. 4.3. Influence of different seed priming agents on seasonal leaf area duration (SLAD) (days) of wheat cultivars under irrigation water deficit conditions

±S.E during 2013-2014 (Year-I), 2014-2015 (Year-II) {crown root initiation (CRI), tillering (T), booting (B), heading (H) stages}

60

Fig. 4.4. Influence of different seed priming agents on crop growth rate (CGR) of wheat cultivars under applied irrigation water deficit conditions ±S.E

during 2013-2014 (Year-I), 2014-2015 (Year-II) {crown root initiation (CRI), tillering (T), booting (B), heading (H) stages}

61

Fig. 4.5. Influence of different seed priming agents on net assimilation rate (NAR) of wheat cultivars under applied irrigation water deficit conditions ±S.E

during 2013-2014 (Year-I), 2014-2015 (Year-II) {crown root initiation (CRI), tillering (T), booting (B), heading (H) stages

62

Table 4.1. Influence of different seed priming agents on leaf total soluble protein (TSP) (mg g-1) of wheat cultivars under irrigation water deficit conditions

during Year-I & II.

Means not sharing the same letters differ significantly at 5% probability level. {crown root initiation (CRI), tillering (T), booting (B), heading (H) stages}

Total Soluble Protein (mg g-1)

Yea

r-I

Irrig

atio

n w

ater

deficit

Priming agents Hydro-priming MLE30-priming KCl-priming BAP-priming On farm-priming

Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

{Control} 0.78 0.14 1.55 1.74 0.35 0.89 0.59 1.68 0.40 0.12 0.82c

{H} 0.95 0.80 1.82 1.36 1.11 1.34 1.61 1.06 1.29 0.38 1.17ab

{T+H} 0.89 0.57 1.99 1.48 0.55 0.46 1.56 1.21 0.81 1.07 1.06bc

{CRI+H} 1.63 1.15 2.15 2.05 1.00 0.76 1.34 1.74 1.78 0.71 1.43a

{CRI+B} 1.14 0.89 2.09 1.93 1.11 0.66 0.99 1.46 1.02 0.88 1.22ab

{T+B} 1.49 0.14 1.89 1.85 1.21 1.46 1.49 0.29 1.23 0.44 1.15ab

Mean 1.15b 0.61c 1.91a 1.74a 0.89bc 0.93bc 1.26b 1.24b 1.09b 0.60c

Mean 0.88c 1.83a 0.91c 1.25b 0.84c

LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 0.9221, W 0.2916, P 0.2662, P*V 0.3764

Yea

r-II

Irrig

atio

n w

ater

deficit

Priming agents Hydro-priming MLE30-priming KCl-priming BAP-priming On farm-priming

Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

{Control} 0.99s.u 0.36B 1.22i.k 0.52Z 1.05qr 0.34B 1.09o.q 0.42A 0.99s.u 0.35B 0.73f

{H} 1.23ij 0.92v.y 1.44f 1.01r.t 1.07pq 0.89w.y 1.36g 0.98stu 1.17j.n 0.91v.y 1.10d

{T+H} 1.03q.s 0.89w.y 1.06qr 0.94u.x 0.96t.v 0.88xy 1.05qr 0.91v.y 0.95u.w 0.86y 0.95e

{CRI+H} 1.84b 1.51e 1.94a 1.65c 1.80b 1.55e 1.86b 1.54e 1.80b 1.53e 1.70a

{CRI+B} 1.29h 1.09o.q 1.65c 1.28hi 1.62cd 1.18j.n 1.56de 1.23ij 1.55e 1.15l.o 1.36b

{T+B} 1.15l.o 1.14m.o 1.21j.l 1.19j.n 1.17j.n 1.14m.o 1.20j.m 1.17j.n 1.16k.n 1.13n.p 1.16c

Mean 1.25d 0.98g 1.42a 1.09e 1.28c 0.99g 1.35b 1.04f 1.27cd 0.99g

Mean 1.12d 1.26a 1.13c 1.20b 1.13cd

LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 0.0606, W 0.0192, P 0.0175, P*V 0.0247

63

Table 4.2. Influence of different seed priming agents on leaf superoxide dismutase (IU min-1 mg-1 protein) of wheat cultivars under irrigation water deficit

conditions during Year-I & II.

Means not sharing the same letters differ significantly at 5% probability level. {crown root initiation (CRI), tillering (T), booting (B), heading (H) stages}

Superoxide Dismutase (IU min-1 mg-1 protein)

Yea

r-I

Irrig

atio

n w

ater

deficit

Priming agents Hydro-priming MLE30-priming KCl-priming BAP-priming On farm-priming

Wheat

cultivars

AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

{Control} 13.69v.x 9.36x 22.24q.t 26.54n.q 17.32t.v 10.73wx 19.34r.u 18.66r.v 15.14u.w 8.85x 16.18f

{H} 40.14i 18.29s.v 57.99fg 50.33h 30.21l.o 22.35q.t 46.11h 35.41i.k 23.41p.s 14.79u.w 33.90d

{T+H} 15.97uv 15.81u.w 37.19ij 49.85h 16.81uv 30.72k.o 35.32i.l 36.73ij 30.02m.o 17.48t.v 28.59e

{CRI+H} 38.31ij 28.35n.p 106.64a 80.00d 61.68f 30.77k.o 85.39c 47.04h 28.46n.p 25.69o.q 53.23a

{CRI+B} 26.17n.q 31.05k.n 99.26b 57.68fg 27.04n.q 23.74p.r 61.26fg 40.38i 46.63h 24.78pq 43.79b

{T+B} 36.66ij 17.58t.v 67.06e 34.13j.m 50.36h 23.40p.s 56.47g 28.47n.p 58.04fg 16.71uv 38.88c

Mean 28.48d 20.07f 65.06a 49.75b 33.90c 23.61e 50.64b 34.44c 33.61c 18.05f

Mean 24.28e 57.41a 28.76c 42.54b 25.83d

LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 5.1953, W 1.6429, P 1.4998, P*V 2.1210

Yea

r-II

Irrig

atio

n w

ater

deficit

Priming agents Hydro-priming MLE30-priming KCl-priming BAP-priming On farm-priming

Wheat

cultivars

AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

{Control} 16.78x.A 10.85zA 35.66o.A 38.06o.y 20.54u.A 12.85y.A 26.28s.A 24.74t.A 19.04w.A 10.18A 21.49d

{H} 58.12g.o 23.51t.A 94.62b.e 86.89b.f 41.25n.x 27.83r.A 68.93f.m 50.82k.s 28.67r.A 17.51x.A 49.81b

{T+H} 17.52x.A 17.48x.A 46.65k.t 69.47e.l 18.50w.A 36.51o.y 43.51m.w 47.30k.t 35.94o.z 19.53v.A 35.24c

{CRI+H} 44.89l.v 31.96p.A 130.81a 104.93bc 77.25d.j 38.80o.x 105.91a.c 56.99h.p 31.35q.A 45.56k.u 66.84a

{CRI+B} 28.74r.A 37.07o.y 110.59ab 79.29d.i 30.22r.A 31.43q.A 82.59c.g 51.86jk.r 56.16i.q 28.57r.A 53.65b

{T+B} 70.76e.k 19.78v.A 101.33b.d 42.20n.x 66.67g.n 27.18r.A 81.91c.h 34.20o.A 101.28b.d 18.63w.A 56.39b

Mean 39.46cd 23.44e 86.60a 70.14b 42.40c 29.10de 68.18b 44.31c 45.40c 23.33e

Mean 31.45c 78.37a 35.75c 56.25b 34.36c

LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 25.483, W 8.0583, P 7.3562, P*V 10.403

64

Table 4.3. Influence of different seed priming agents on leaf peroxidase (mmol min-1 mg protein-1) of wheat cultivars under irrigation water deficit conditions

during Year-I & II.

Means not sharing the same letters differ significantly at 5% probability level. {crown root initiation (CRI), tillering (T), booting (B), heading (H) stages}

Peroxidase (mmol min-1 mg protein-1)

Yea

r-I

Irrig

atio

n w

ater

deficit

Priming agents Hydro-priming MLE30-priming KCl-priming BAP-priming On farm-priming

Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

{Control} 5.19AB 4.57B 7.95yz 6.79zA 5.72AB 4.50B 5.96AB 4.85AB 4.98AB 5.29AB 5.58f

{H} 12.21uv 9.13xy 13.13tu 9.86w.y 10.76v.x 8.75y 11.17vw 9.39w.y 9.71w.y 8.36yz 10.25e

{T+H} 14.78q.t 13.71r.u 17.37n.p 14.64r.t 15.01q.t 13.62s.u 15.63p.r 14.22r.t 15.23q.s 13.87r.u 14.81d

{CRI+H} 35.18c 28.99e 43.29a 32.55d 35.54c 29.64e 40.07b 29.94e 35.26c 29.54e 34.00a

{CRI+B} 20.65j.l 14.13r.u 26.36f 18.57m.o 18.19m.o 13.69r.u 22.98hi 16.71o.q 19.21l.n 13.98r.u 18.45c

{T+B} 19.14l.n 18.30m.o 26.06fg 21.54i.k 24.05h 19.33lm 22.37h.j 19.65k.m 24.12gh 18.61m.o 21.32b

Mean 17.86cd 14.81f 22.36a 17.33d 18.21c 14.92f 19.70b 15.79e 18.09cd 14.94f

Mean 16.33c 19.84a 16.57c 17.75b 16.51c

LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 1.9372, W 0.6126, P 0.5592, P*V 0.7909

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Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

{Control} 6.54z.B 4.02D 9.13u.x 6.08A.C 7.03y.A 3.96D 7.23x.A 4.24CD 6.35z.B 4.74B.D 5.93f

{H} 11.49st 8.54u.y 12.39rs 9.24u.w 10.08t.v 8.16v.z 10.43tu 8.79u.y 9.06u.x 7.79w.A 9.60e

{T+H} 20.67j.l 14.15p.r 26.39f 18.59mn 18.21mn 13.71p.r 23.01hi 16.73no 19.24lm 14.00pqr 18.47c

{CRI+H} 37.44c 29.20e 45.56a 32.78d 37.79c 29.86e 42.33b 30.15e 37.51c 29.75e 35.24a

{CRI+B} 14.28p.r 13.25p.s 16.86no 14.17p.r 14.50pq 13.17q.s 15.12op 13.75p.r 14.73pq 13.41p.s 14.33d

{T+B} 18.87lm 18.04mn 25.71fg 21.24i.k 23.71h 19.05lm 22.04h.j 19.36k.m 23.79gh 18.33mn 21.01b

Mean 18.22c 14.53f 22.67a 17.02d 18.55c 14.65f 20.03b 15.50e 18.45c 14.67f

Mean 16.37c 19.84a 16.60c 17.77b 16.56c

LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 1.9372, W 0.6126, P 0.5592, P*V 0.7909

65

Table 4.4. Influence of different seed priming agents on leaf catalase (μ mol min-1 mg protein-1) of wheat cultivars under irrigation water deficit conditions

during Year-I & II.

Means not sharing the same letters differ significantly at 5% probability level. {crown root initiation (CRI), tillering (T), booting (B), heading (H) stages}

Catalase (μ mol min-1 mg protein-1)

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Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

{Control} 6.06A.C 4.94BC 8.63yz 6.72AB 6.71AB 4.77C 7.11zA 5.72A.C 5.92A.C 4.85BC 6.14f

{H} 12.13vw 9.80xy 14.92q.s 10.52w.y 12.89t.v 9.06y 14.43r.u 10.12xy 11.35v.x 9.01yz 11.42e

{T+H} 17.23l.p 14.70r.t 20.09jk 16.02o.r 17.28l.p 14.86q.s 17.36l.p 15.47p.r 16.68n.q 14.29r.u 16.40d

{CRI+H} 34.13b 24.80e.g 39.39a 30.66c 31.92c 24.85e.g 30.63c 26.91d 30.79c 25.48d.f 29.96a

{CRI+B} 19.92jk 12.78uv 24.55e.h 15.84o.r 16.17o.r 12.70uv 22.81hi 14.52r.u 18.90kl 13.03s.v 17.12c

{T+B} 18.64k.m 16.00o.r 26.08de 19.09kl 23.21gh 17.58l.o 24.14f.h 18.38k.n 21.20ij 16.93m.p 20.13b

Mean 18.02c 13.84f 22.28a 16.48d 18.03c 13.97f 19.42b 15.19e 17.47c 13.93f

Mean 15.93c 19.3a 16.00c 17.30b 15.70c

LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 1.9036, W 0.6020, P 0.5495, P*V 0.7771

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Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

{Control} 8.06E.G 5.98G 11.49A.C 7.90E.G 8.63D.F 6.00G 9.79C.E 6.86fG 7.23FG 5.98G 7.79e

{H} 14.10w.y 11.43A.C 16.97s.u 12.23y.B 14.75v.x 10.67B.D 16.45t.v 11.79z.C 13.16x.A 10.58B.D 13.21d

{T+H} 21.56k.m 13.95w.z 26.50g 17.13r.u 17.62q.u 13.83w.z 24.65g.i 15.77u.w 20.47m.o 14.18w.y 18.57c

{CRI+H} 34.33bc 28.81f 36.75a 35.05a.c 21.66j.m 28.96ef 35.69ab 31.02de 33.03cd 29.53ef 31.48a

{CRI+B} 19.76m.q 17.04r.u 22.74i.l 18.46o.t 19.85m.p 17.18r.u 19.99m.p 17.87p.u 19.23n.r 16.62s.v 18.87c

{T+B} 18.72o.s 17.46r.u 25.62gh 21.00l.n 23.82h.j 18.65o.t 23.39i.k 20.00m.p 22.69i.l 18.23p.t 20.96b

Mean 19.42c 15.78e 23.34a 18.63c 17.72d 15.88e 21.66b 17.22d 19.30c 15.85e

Mean 17.60c 20.99a 16.80d 19.44b 17.58c

LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 2.2079, W 0.6982, P 0.6374, P*V 0.9014

66

Table 4.5. Influence of different seed priming agents on leaf ascorbic acid (m. mole g-1) of wheat cultivars under applied irrigation water deficit conditions

during Year-I & II.

Means not sharing the same letters differ significantly at 5% probability level. {crown root initiation (CRI), tillering (T), booting (B), heading (H) stages}

Ascorbic Acid (m. mole g-1)

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Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

{Control} 54.40u 76.97m.p 61.78s 78.34m.o 54.61u 76.83n.p 59.45st 77.61m.o 57.50tu 77.69m.o 67.52e

{H} 89.45c.f 84.21i.k 92.28bc 86.33f.i 90.38b.e 83.81i.k 87.59e.h 80.16lm 86.45f.i 79.95l.n 86.06c

{T+H} 92.45bc 76.76n.p 93.00b 92.54bc 92.59bc 84.35h.k 92.38bc 91.19b.d 90.19b.e 70.95qr 87.64b

{CRI+H} 97.47a 98.73a 98.167 a 99.88a 97.38a 98.78a 97.45a 98.83a 96.90a 97.25a 98.08a

{CRI+B} 76.33op 68.69r 81.76kl 76.09op 74.09pq 68.90r 76.47op 75.73op 74.30p 70.14r 74.25d

{T+B} 92.09bc 83.83i.jk 92.61bc 84.09i.k 91.97bc 82.76j.l 88.07d.g 82.02kl 85.69g.j 80.04l.n 86.32c

Mean 83.70bc 81.53d 86.60a 86.21a 83.50bc 82.57cd 83.57bc 84.26b 81.84d 79.34e

Mean 82.61c 86.40a 83.04bc 83.91b 80.59d

LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 3.3033, W 1.0446, P 0.9536, P*V 1.3486

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Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

{Control} 71.12wx 93.69f.i 78.50q 95.05fg 71.33v.x 93.55f.i 76.17r 94.33fg 74.21rst 94.41fg 84.24e

{H} 97.38de 92.14h.j 100.21bc 94.26fg 98.31cd 91.74ij 95.52ef 88.10kl 94.38fg 87.88lm 93.99b

{T+H} 93.31g.i 93.81f.i 93.52f.i 93.67f.i 93.52f.i 93.52f.i 71.88u.w 93.45f.i 72.02u.w 94.60fg 89.33c

{CRI+H} 101.17b 98.81cd 106.52 a 101.02b 100.95b 98.60cd 101.02b 98.67cd 101.02b 98.67cd 100.65a

{CRI+B} 75.48rs 67.83 y 80.90p 75.24r.t 73.24t.v 68.05y 75.61r 74.88rst 73.45s.u 69.29xy 73.40f

{T+B} 94.17f.h 85.91mn 94.69fg 86.17l.n 94.05f.h 84.83n 90.14jk 84.10no 87.76lm 82.12op 88.39d

Mean 88.77c 88.69c 92.39a 90.90b 88.56cd 88.38cd 85.05e 88.92c 83.80f 87.82d

Mean 88.73b 91.64a 88.47b 86.99c 85.81d

LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 2.0813, W 0.6582, P 0.6008, P*V 0.8497

67

Table 4.6. Influence of different seed priming agents on leaf total phenolic Contents (mg g-1) of wheat cultivars under applied irrigation water deficit conditions

during Year-I & II.

Means not sharing the same letters differ significantly at 5% probability level. {crown root initiation (CRI), tillering (T), booting (B), heading (H) stages}

Total Phenolic Contents (mg g-1)

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Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

{Control} 2.38uv 1.87xy 2.70st 2.19vw 1.49zA 0.98C 2.59s.u 2.08wx 2.07wx 1.56zA 1.99d

{H} 1.35AB 0.78CD 3.82h.k 3.26mn 2.03wx 1.47zA 3.29mn 2.73r.t 1.24B 0.68D 2.07c

{T+H} 3.26mn 2.78q.s 3.47lm 3.00o.q 3.15n.p 2.68st 4.36f 3.89hi 3.94gh 3.47lm 3.40b

{CRI+H} 3.63j.l 3.03op 5.26a 4.66de 3.78h.k 3.19no 5.10ab 4.50ef 3.68i.l 3.08n.p 3.99a

{CRI+B} 4.45ef 2.94p.r 4.58de 4.57d.f 3.61kl 2.10w 3.19no 1.68yz 4.14g 2.63st 3.39b

{T+B} 4.75cd 3.68i.l 4.66de 4.94bc 4.63de 3.89hi 2.54tu 1.47zA 4.91bc 3.84h.j 3.93a

Mean 3.30d 2.52g 4.08a 3.77b 3.11e 2.38h 3.51c 2.73f 3.33d 2.54g

Mean 2.91c 3.92a 2.75d 3.12b 2.94c

LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 0.2138, W 0.0676, P 0.0617, P*V 0.0873

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Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

{Control} 0.64 0.14 0.96 0.80 0.78 0.48 0.85 0.35 0.33 0.46st 0.58d

{H} 0.50 0.31 2.98 2.42 1.19 0.63 2.45 1.89 0.40 0.61q.t 1.34c

{T+H} 1.84 1.24 3.49 2.47 2.00 1.94 3.31 2.71 1.89 1.29n.q 2.22b

{CRI+H} 3.05 2.94 3.56 3.08 2.94 2.47 3.73 3.38 3.38 3.26e.i 3.18a

{CRI+B} 3.50 3.05 4.56 4.29 3.71 2.21 3.29 1.78 4.24 2.73.k 3.34a

{T+B} 3.45 3.21 4.08 2.95 3.78 3.42 2.07 1.77 4.08 3.33 3.21a

Mean 2.16de 1.81f 3.27a 2.67b 2.40b.d 1.86f 2.62bc 1.98ef 2.39cd 1.95ef

Mean 1.99c 2.97a 2.13bc 2.30b 2.17bc

LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 0.6888, W 0.2178, P 0.1988, P*V 0.2812

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Table 4.7. Influence of different seed priming agents on leaf chlorophyll “a” (mg g-1) of wheat cultivars under applied irrigation water deficit conditions during

Year-I & II.

Means not sharing the same letters differ significantly at 5% probability level. {crown root initiation (CRI), tillering (T), booting (B), heading (H) stages}

Chlorophyll “a” (mg g-1)

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Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

{Control} 1.16i 1.07n 2.13a 2.04b 2.00c 1.91d 1.45e 1.36f 0.70m 0.61r 1.44a

{H} 1.01q 0.95v 1.25g 1.18h 1.05p 0.98t 1.12k 1.05p 0.90z 0.83g 1.03b

{T+H} 0.55t 0.45w 0.99r 0.89b 0.94x 0.84f 0.83g 0.73k 0.88c 0.79i 0.79d

{CRI+H} 0.90A 0.85e 1.15j 1.10l 0.78j 0.73k 0.99r 0.94w 0.96u 0.91y 0.93c

{CRI+B} 0.71l 0.65o 1.12k 1.05o 0.60s 0.54u 0.69n 0.62p 0.51v 0.45x 0.69f

{T+B} 0.94w 0.79h 1.07m 0.99s 0.89c 0.85d 0.70m 0.61q 0.42y 0.33z 0.76e

Mean 0.88g 0.79h 1.28a 1.21b 1.04c 0.98d 0.96e 0.89f 0.73i 0.65j

Mean 0.84d 1.25a 1.01b 0.92c 0.69e

LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 0.1019, W 0.04489 P 0.0381, P*V 0.0338

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Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

{Control} 2.13b.d 1.98e 2.16bc 1.60lm 1.57l.n 1.42q 2.19b 2.04de 1.75g.i 1.60lm 1.84a

{H} 1.63k.m 1.44pq 2.34a 1.55l.o 1.72h.k 1.53m.p 1.20t.w 1.01yz 1.97e 1.78f.h 1.61b

{T+H} 1.12wx 0.93zA 1.84fg 1.64j.l 1.73h.j 1.54m.p 1.46o.q 1.27s.u 1.65i.l 1.46o.q 1.46d

{CRI+H} 2.06c.e 1.18u.w 2.15bc 1.60lm 2.07c.e 1.05xy 2.19b 1.41q 0.91zA 0.73B 1.53c

{CRI+B} 1.20t.w 1.07xy 2.00e 1.86f 1.13v.x 1.00yz 1.25tu 1.12v.x 0.85A 0.72B 1.22e

{T+B} 1.37q.s 1.30r.t 1.30r.t 1.22t.v 0.63BC 0.56C 1.47n.q 1.39qr 1.53m.p 1.46o.q 1.22e

Mean 1.58c 1.31f 1.96a 1.58c 1.47d 1.18g 1.63b 1.37e 1.44d 1.29f

Mean 1.45c 1.77a 1.33e 1.50b 1.36d

LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 0.1006, W 0.0318, P 0.0290, P*V 0.0411

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Table 4.8. Influence of different seed priming agents on leaf chlorophyll “b” (mg g-1) of wheat cultivars under applied irrigation water deficit conditions during

Year-I & II.

Means not sharing the same letters differ significantly at 5% probability level. {crown root initiation (CRI), tillering (T), booting (B), heading (H) stage}

Chlorophyll “b” (mg g-1)

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Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

{Control} 0.42hi 0.33no 0.75a 0.66b 0.57d 0.48e 0.75a 0.66b 0.21xy 0.12D 0.50a

{H} 0.33no 0.26s.u 0.59c 0.40j 0.43gh 0.36lm 0.45f 0.38k 0.40j 0.33n 0.39b

{T+H} 0.21y 0.11D 0.32o 0.22x 0.30p 0.20yz 0.24w 0.15C 0.29pq 0.19zA 0.22e

{CRI+H} 0.30p 0.25u.w 0.37k 0.33no 0.25vw 0.20yz 0.32no 0.27rs 0.30p 0.25vw 0.28d

{CRI+B} 0.25u.w 0.19A 0.44fg 0.37kl 0.27rst 0.21y 0.19A 0.12D 0.14C 0.07E 0.22e

{T+B} 0.41ij 0.32o 0.48e 0.37k.m 0.36m 0.27r.t 0.26t.v 0.17B 0.37k.m 0.28qr 0.33c

Mean 0.32d 0.24g 0.49a 0.39b 0.36c 0.29ef 0.37c 0.29e 0.28f 0.21h

Mean 0.28d 0.44a 0.33c 0.33b 0.25e

LSD 0.05p= W*P*V0.0126, W0.12001 P 0.1290, P*V 0.0974

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Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

{Control} 0.45f 0.36j 0.79a 0.70b 0.61c 0.52d 0.78a 0.69b 0.24rs 0.15z 0.53a

{H} 0.36j 0.29op 0.62c 0.43g 0.46f 0.39i 0.48e 0.41h 0.43g 0.36j 0.42b

{T+H} 0.23tu 0.13A 0.34l 0.24rs 0.32m 0.22uv 0.27q 0.17y 0.31mn 0.21v 0.24e

{CRI+H} 0.28p 0.24st 0.36j 0.31mn 0.23s.u 0.19wx 0.31n 0.26q 0.28p 0.23s.u 0.27d

{CRI+B} 0.24st 0.17y 0.43g 0.36j 0.26q 0.20w 0.18xy 0.11B 0.13A 0.06C 0.21f

{T+B} 0.39i 0.30no 0.46f 0.35j.l 0.34kl 0.25qr 0.24rs 0.16z 0.35jk 0.26q 0.31c

Mean 0.33d 0.25g 0.50a 0.40b 0.37c 0.29ef 0.37c 0.30e 0.29f 0.21h

Mean 0.29d 0.45a 0.33c 0.34b 0.25e

LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 0.0126, W0.1215, P0.12380, P*V0.10231

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Table 4.9. Influence of different seed priming agents on leaf K+ contents (mg g-1) of wheat cultivars under applied irrigation water deficit conditions during

Year-I & II.

Means not sharing the same letters differ significantly at 5% probability level. {crown root initiation (CRI), tillering (T), booting (B), heading (H) stage}

K+ contents (mg g-1)

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Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

{Control} 1.54de 1.34g.i 1.74b 1.94a 1.67bc 1.24i.l 1.57cd 1.44e.g 1.37f.h 1.14l 1.50a

{H} 0.64s.v 0.81o.q 0.93mn 0.92m.o 0.83n.q 0.72q.s 0.92m.o 0.86n.p 0.62s.w 0.75p.r 0.80c

{T+H} 0.67r.t 0.58t.x 0.77p.r 0.86n.p 0.57t.y 0.62s.w 0.72q.s 0.66r.u 0.52w.A 0.55u.z 0.65d

{CRI+H} 1.23j.l 1.34g.j 1.52de 1.15kl 1.26h.k 1.45e.g 1.46d.f 1.48de 1.00m 1.30h.j 1.32b

{CRI+B} 0.30C.F 0.36B.E 0.41A.C 0.52v.A 0.27D.F 0.35B.E 0.38B.D 0.34B.F 0.23F.H 0.10I 0.33e

{T+B} 0.50x.A 0.26E.G 0.59t.x 0.46y.B 0.44z.B 0.33C.F 0.34B.F 0.36B.E 0.14G.I 0.13HI 0.35e

Mean 0.81cd 0.78d 0.99a 0.97a 0.84c 0.78d 0.90b 0.86bc 0.65e 0.66e

Mean 0.80c 0.98a 0.81c 0.88b 0.65d

LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 0.1132, W 0.0358, P 0.0327, P*V 0.0462

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Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

{Control} 1.29i 1.48f 1.89a 1.81b 1.19k 1.61d 1.39h 1.51e 1.69c 1.68c 1.55a

{H} 0.57wx 0.73s 0.86o 0.86o 0.65u 0.63v 0.76qr 0.83p 0.55x 0.76r 0.72c

{T+H} 0.44A 0.49z 0.69t 0.79q 0.49z 0.59w 0.64uv 0.47z 0.59w 0.57w 0.57d

{CRI+H} 1.08m 1.14l 1.67c 1.47f 0.98n 1.44g 1.17k 1.37h 1.47f 1.24j 1.30b

{CRI+B} 0.42A 0.30F 0.52Y 0.40B 0.32E 0.20I 0.30F 0.37C 0.10K 0.27G 0.32e

{T+B} 0.40B 0.04i 0.49z 0.37C 0.34D 0.27G 0.24H 0.24H 0.05i 0.17J 0.26f

Mean 0.70g 0.69g 1.02a 0.95b 0.66h 0.79d 0.75e 0.80c 0.74f 0.78d

Mean 0.70e 0.98a 0.72d 0.77b 0.76c

LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 0.0216, W 0.0447, P 0.0679, P*V 0.0321

71

Table 4.10. Influence of different seed priming agents on fertile tillers (m-2) of wheat cultivars under applied irrigation water deficit conditions during Year-I

& II.

Means not sharing the same letters differ significantly at 5% probability level. {crown root initiation (CRI), tillering (T), booting (B), heading (H) stage}

Fertile tillers (m-2)

Yea

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deficit

Priming agents Hydro-priming MLE30-priming KCl-priming BAP-priming On farm-priming

Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

{Control} 404c.e 396d.k 426a 414a.c 388h.r 395d.l 418ab 401d.g 406b.d 392e.o 404a

{H} 395d.l 389g.q 399d.i 402c.f 395d.l 393e.n 397d.j 396d.k 382m.u 392e.o 394b

{T+H} 383l.u 397d.j 396d.k 380v 384k.t 372t.x 388h.r 376r.x 380o.v 374s.x 383d

{CRI+H} 389g.q 378q.w 402cdef 394d.m 397d.j 369v.x 400d.h 380o.v 390f.q 374s.x 387c

{CRI+B} 386j.s 364x 393e.n 372t.x 385j.s 349y 369v.x 371.x 386j.s 366wx 374e

{T+B} 387i.r 381n.v 396d.k 378q.w 386j.s 364x 391f.p 374s.x 379p.v 380o.v 381d

Mean 390.67bc 384.17d.f 402.00a 390.00bc 389.17b.d 373.67g 393.83b 383.00ef 387.17c.e 379.67f

Mean 387.42b 396.00a 381.42c 388.42b 383.42c

LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 12.862 , W 4.0674, P 3.7130, P*V 5.2510

Yea

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Priming agents Hydro-priming MLE30-priming KCl-priming BAP-priming On farm-priming

Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

{Control} 341c.f 311i.k 363a 329fg 325gh 310i.k 355ab 316hi 343b.e 307i.k 330b

{H} 350bc 354ab 363a 337d.g 351a.c 329fg 355ab 333e.g 347b.d 331e.g 345a

{T+H} 245n 210p.r 258m 226o 253mn 201q.u 256mn 212pq 246mn 206p.t 231d

{CRI+H} 303jk 300kl 307i.k 313h.j 303jk 304i.k 305i.k 307i.k 290l 303jk 303c

{CRI+B} 182vw 197s.u 189u.w 205p.t 181w 182vw 165x 204p.t 182vw 199r.u 188f

{T+B} 205p.t 201q.u 214op 198r.u 204p.t 184vw 209p.s 194t.v 197s.u 200q.u 200e

Mean 271bc 262.17d 282.33a 268c 269.50bc 251.67e 274.17b 261d 267.50c 257.67d

Mean 266.58b 275.17a 260.58c 267.58b 262.58c

LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 12.714 , W 4.2134, P 3.5040, P*V 5.3501

72

Table 4.11. Influence of different seed priming agents on grain-spike of wheat cultivars under applied irrigation water deficit conditions during Year-I & II.

Means not sharing the same letters differ significantly at 5% probability level. {crown root initiation (CRI), tillering (T), booting (B), heading (H) stage}

Grain-Spike

Yea

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deficit

Priming agents Hydro-priming MLE30-priming KCl-priming BAP-priming On farm-priming

Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

{Control} 58a.c 46j.n 60a 48h.m 55a.f 43m.q 58a.c 45k.p 54b.g 42n.r 51a

{H} 53c.h 40o.s 57a.d 45k.o 56a.e 39q.u 56a.e 39q.u 54d.g 38r.v 48b

{T+H} 52e.i 36s.w 56a.e 37r.v 52e.i 35s.x 57a.e 35s.x 50f.k 33v.y 44cd

{CRI+H} 49.33g.l 39p.t 55b.f 42n.r 52d.i 39q.u 51e.j 35t.x 54b.g 38q.u 45c

{CRI+B} 54b.g 33v.y 59ab 36s.w 56a.e 28y 44l.q 34u.x 53d.i 30xy 42d

{T+B} 53d.i 35s.w 55a.f 37r.v 52e.i 30w.y 52e.i 36s.w 48i.m 35s.w 43d

Mean 53b 38d 57a 41c 54b 36e 53b 37de 52b 36e

Mean 46b 49a 45bc 45bc 44c

LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 5.4236, W 1.7151, P 1.5657, P*V 2.2142

Yea

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Priming agents Hydro-priming MLE30-priming KCl-priming BAP-priming On farm-priming

Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

{Control} 47ab 44a.d 49a 46a.c 44a.d 41c.e 47ab 43b.d 43b.d 40d.f 44a

{H} 39d.g 35f.i 43b.d 40d.f 42cd 34g.j 42b.d 34h.j 40d.f 33h.k 38b

{T+H} 27l.p 27l.p 27l.p 26m.q 23p.r 25o.q 22p.s 19r.t 25n.q 25o.q 24d

{CRI+H} 28k.p 35f.i 32h.l 36e.h 28k.p 34g.j 33h.k 34g.j 26m.q 32h.l 31c

{CRI+B} 24o.r 18s.u 29j.o 21q.s 26m.q 13u 14tu 19r.t 23p.s 15tu 20e

{T+B} 35f.i 34g.j 33h.j 31h.m 31h.n 25n.q 31h.n 31h.n 27l.p 30i.n 31c

Mean 33ab 32bc 35a 33b 32bc 29e 31b.d 30de 31c.e 29e

Mean 33b 34a 30c 31c 30c

LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 5.4891, W 1.7358, P 1.5846, P*V 2.2409

73

Table 4.12. Influence of different seed priming agents on 1000 grain weight (g) of wheat cultivars under applied irrigation water deficit conditions during Year-

I & II.

Means not sharing the same letters differ significantly at 5% probability level. {crown root initiation (CRI), tillering (T), booting (B), heading (H) stage}

1000 Grain Weight (g)

Yea

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ater

deficit

Priming agents Hydro-priming MLE30-priming KCl-priming BAP-priming On farm-priming

Wheat

cultivars

AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

{Control} 37.61bc 32.39e.g 42.88a 39.36b 32.38e.g 30.56g.j 37.38bc 36.69cd 30.51g.j 28.09k.o 34.79a

{H} 33.01ef 30.21g.k 36.91c 33.21ef 26.21o.s 25.51q.u 34.57de 31.31fghi 24.81r.v 25.51q.u 30.12b

{T+H} 28.62j.n 22.75v.y 31.95f.h 29.48i.m 25.92o.t 21.25yz 26.62n.r 23.71t.x 25.72p.u 23.55u.x 25.95c

{CRI+H} 28.93j.m 25.27q.u 30.03h.l 25.47q.u 28.63j.n 23.57u.x 27.93l.p 23.57u.x 28.53j.n 24.07s.w 26.60c

{CRI+B} 21.17yz 20.97yz 22.47w.y 21.67x.z 20.17z 20.77yz 20.17z 20.77yz 21.07yz 20.57yz 20.98e

{T+B} 26.25o.s 20.23z 27.35m.q 21.13yz 25.95o.s 20.03z 26.65n.r 21.83x.z 24.65r.w 21.23yz 23.53d

Mean 29.26b 25.30d 31.93a 28.38b 26.54c 23.61e 28.88b 26.31c 25.88cd 23.83e

Mean 27.28b 30.16a 25.08c 27.60b 24.86c

LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 2.2319, W 0.7058, P 0.6443, P*V 0.9112

Yea

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Priming agents Hydro-priming MLE30-priming KCl-priming BAP-priming On farm-priming

Wheat

cultivars

AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

{Control} 41.95bc 36.39e.i 48.88a 43.36b 38.38ef 34.56h.k 42.05bc 40.69cd 36.51e.h 32.09l.o 39.49a

{H} 34.63h.k 30.72o.s 35.73g.j 30.92o.q 34.33h.k 29.02p.t 33.63j.m 29.02p.t 34.23i.l 29.52p.t 32.17c

{T+H} 30.62o.s 24.25v.y 33.95j.m 30.98o.q 27.92tu 22.75xy 28.62r.t 25.21vw 27.72tu 25.05vw 27.70d

{CRI+H} 37.01e.g 33.21k.n 40.91c 36.21f.i 30.21o.s 28.51st 38.57de 34.31h.k 28.81q.t 28.51st 33.62b

{CRI+B} 24.47v.y 23.96v.y 25.77uv 24.66v.x 23.47w.y 23.76v.y 23.47w.y 23.76v.y 24.37v.y 23.56v.y 24.12f

{T+B} 30.75o.r 22.53xy 31.85m.o 23.43w.y 30.45o.s 22.33y 31.15n.p 24.13v.y 29.15p.t 23.53w.y 26.93e

Mean 33.23b 28.51f 36.18a 31.59c 30.79cd 26.82g 32.91b 29.52e 30.13de 27.04g

Mean 30.87b 33.88a 28.80c 31.21b 28.58c

LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 2.2113, W 0.6993, P 0.6383, P*V 0.9028

74

Table 4.13. Influence of different seed priming agents on grain yield (t/ha) of wheat cultivars under applied irrigation water deficit conditions during Year-I &

II.

Means not sharing the same letters differ significantly at 5% probability level. {crown root initiation (CRI), tillering (T), booting (B), heading (H) stage}

Grain yield (t/ha)

Yea

r-I

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atio

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ater

deficit

Priming agents Hydro-priming MLE30-priming KCl-priming BAP-priming On farm-priming

Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

{Control} 5.67a.c 4.27i.m 5.93a 4.87d.i 5.22b.f 3.85m.o 5.70a.c 3.86l.n 5.14c.g 2.87q.t 4.74a

{H} 5.04d.h 2.21u.x 5.74ab 4.13k.n 5.36a.e 2.71q.u 5.38a.d 3.25o.q 4.45h.l 2.30t.w 4.06b

{T+H} 3.85mn 1.35B.E 4.77e.j 1.96w.A 3.17p.r 1.37A.E 4.42i.m 1.50z.D 3.96l.n 1.33B.E 2.77d

{CRI+H} 4.60g.k 2.01w.z 5.13c.g 3.21p.r 4.25j.m 1.55y.c 4.66f.k 2.73q.u 3.88l.n 1.57y.c 3.36c

{CRI+B} 2.39s.w 1.65x.b 3.55n.p 2.33s.w 2.91q.s 1.32b.e 3.25pq 1.96w.a 2.64r.v 1.08b.e 2.31e

{T+B} 2.46s.w 0.77E 3.62n.p 2.10v.y 2.53s.w 0.92DE 2.89q.t 1.43z.D 2.02w.z 1.00C.E 1.97f

Mean 4.00c 2.04g 4.79a 3.10e 3.91cd 1.95g 4.38b 2.45f 3.68d 1.69h

Mean 3.02c 3.95a 2.93c 3.42b 2.69d

LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 0.5994, W 0.1895, P 0.1730, P*V 0.2447

Yea

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Priming agents Hydro-priming MLE30-priming KCl-priming BAP-priming On farm-priming

Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

{Control} 5.85ab 3.51m.r 6.14a 4.35g.k 5.06d.f 3.25n.t 6.02ab 3.84j.m 5.73a.c 2.03C.F 4.58a

{H} 4.37g.j 2.62v.b 5.04d.f 3.12p.v 4.30g.k 2.48x.E 4.79e.g 2.86s.z 4.45g.i 2.52w.D 3.65c

{T+H} 3.49m.r 1.98D.F 4.21h.l 2.54w.C 3.07q.w 1.99D.F 3.66l.p 2.41y.E 2.85t.z 2.07B.F 2.83e

{CRI+H} 4.80e.g 3.02q.x 5.49b.d 3.81k.m 5.03d.f 3.01r.x 5.29c.e 3.40m.s 4.72f.h 2.35z.E 4.09b

{CRI+B} 2.43y.E 1.58F.H 2.82t.z 2.15A.E 2.60v.B 1.40GH 2.68u.A 1.95E.G 2.38z.E 1.35H 2.13f

{T+B} 3.74l.n 2.94s.y 4.35g.k 3.31m.t 3.57m.q 2.82t.z 4.16i.l 3.18o.u 3.69l.o 2.65u.A 3.44d

Mean 4.11c 2.61f 4.67a 3.21d 3.94c 2.49f 4.43b 2.94e 3.97c 2.16g

Mean 3.36c 3.94a 3.21cd 3.69b 3.06d

LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 0.5512, W 0.1743, P 0.1591, P*V 0.2250

75

Table 4.14. Influence of different seed priming agents on biological yield (t/ha) of wheat cultivars under applied irrigation water deficit conditions during Year-

I & II.

Means not sharing the same letters differ significantly at 5% probability level. {crown root initiation (CRI), tillering (T), booting (B), heading (H) stage}

Biological Yield (t/ha)

Yea

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Priming agents Hydro-priming MLE30-priming KCl-priming BAP-priming On farm-priming

Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

{Control} 13.07b.h 10.68j.r 16.01a 12.52c.i 13.90b.d 10.37m.u 13.28b.f 10.58l.s 13.06b.h 10.53l.t 12.40a

{H} 11.46g.o 10.99i.q 13.52b.e 13.12b.g 11.26i.p 11.37h.p 12.32d.j 12.44c.i 11.14i.p 10.90i.q 11.85b

{T+H} 10.95i.q 7.30yz 12.20d.l 10.03o.w 9.18r.x 7.05z 10.72j.r 8.46w.z 9.06r.x 7.50x.z 9.24e

{CRI+H} 11.71f.o 10.90i.q 14.37ab 12.34d.j 12.57c.i 9.75p.w 14.09bc 11.85e.n 12.30d.k 8.62v.z 11.85b

{CRI+B} 9.34q.w 8.95s.y 12.47c.i 11.30i.p 8.76u.y 10.28n.v 11.44g.p 10.52l.t 10.59k.s 8.84t.y 10.25d

{T+B} 10.28m.v 11.17i.p 13.44b.e 13.04b.h 10.16n.w 9.15r.x 11.99e.m 11.55g.o 10.25n.v 10.13o.w 11.12c

Mean 11.13c 10.00d 13.67a 12.06b 10.97c 9.66d 12.30b 10.90c 11.06c 9.42d

Mean 10.57c 12.86a 10.32c 11.60b 10.24c

LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 1.7081, W 0.5402, P 0.4931, P*V 0.6973

Yea

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Priming agents Hydro-priming MLE30-priming KCl-priming BAP-priming On farm-priming

Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

{Control} 15.19bc 12.38e.g 16.91a 14.24cd 14.48cd 11.36g.j 16.03ab 13.40d.f 13.69de 11.89gh 13.96a

{H} 12.53e.g 10.26i.n 14.85b.d 11.63g.i 12.05fg 9.14l.u 13.73de 10.33i.m 11.23g.k 9.44l.t 11.52b

{T+H} 9.65l.q 9.16l.u 11.34g.j 10.58h.l 9.65l.q 8.27q.y 10.37i.m 9.85k.p 9.05m.v 8.26q.y 9.62c

{CRI+H} 10.37i.m 8.83n.w 12.53e.g 11.48g.i 9.92j.o 6.86yza 11.44g.i 9.30l.u 9.45l.t 8.14r.z 9.83c

{CRI+B} 10.21i.n 8.03t.z 11.63g.i 9.00m.v 9.56l.r 7.26x.A 10.41i.m 8.61o.x 8.43p.x 6.74zA 8.99d

{T+B} 7.61v.A 7.89u.z 9.96j.o 9.49l.s 6.80zA 6.70zA 8.76o.w 8.11st.z 6.44A 7.50w.A 7.93e

Mean 10.93cd 9.42f 12.87a 11.07c 10.41de 8.26g 11.79b 9.93ef 9.71f 8.66g

Mean 10.17c 11.97a 9.34d 10.86b 9.19d

LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 1.4437, W 0.4565, P 0.4168, P*V 0.5894

76

Table 4.15. Influence of different seed priming agents on harvest index (%) of wheat cultivars under applied irrigation water deficit conditions during Year-I

& II.

Means not sharing the same letters differ significantly at 5% probability level. {crown root initiation (CRI), tillering (T), booting (B), heading (H) stage}

Harvest Index (%)

Yea

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Priming agents Hydro-priming MLE30-priming KCl-priming BAP-priming On farm-priming

Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

{Control} 41.97 33.64 43.02 35.03 38.80 32.05 46.10 30.38 38.56 24.20 36.37a

{H} 39.20 22.39 43.47 35.62 40.96 27.96 41.45 31.49 37.42 25.45 34.54a

{T+H} 38.01 14.93 44.37 18.64 32.86 15.58 42.35 15.48 40.04 15.91 27.82c

{CRI+H} 41.70 22.91 43.68 28.86 40.56 22.27 40.73 25.69 37.36 20.01 32.38b

{CRI+B} 25.23 19.73 33.09 26.56 31.12 18.07 32.28 22.95 29.21 16.16 25.44d

{T+B} 31.88 14.08 38.45 22.78 37.45 16.31 32.79 17.74 31.67 17.80 26.10cd

Mean 36.33c 21.28ef 41.01a 27.92d 36.96bc 22.04ef 39.28ab 23.96e 35.71c 19.92f

Mean 28.81c 34.46a 29.50c 31.62b 27.82c

LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 6.7256, W 2.1268, P 1.9415, P*V 2.7457

Yea

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eficit

Priming agents Hydro-priming MLE30-priming KCl-priming BAP-priming On farm-priming

Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

{Control} 40.78 32.96 50.15 36.31 37.51 31.33 45.24 34.74 42.75 19.29 37.11a

{H} 38.71 23.89 40.52 25.20 36.60 21.89 38.31 24.54 33.15 20.00 30.28c

{T+H} 32.14 25.51 37.27 30.26 33.45 27.47 34.31 29.18 31.62 28.06 30.93c

{CRI+H} 38.21 28.27 41.24 31.05 37.59 28.78 40.16 30.99 39.04 28.60 34.39b

{CRI+B} 23.58 18.18 30.40 19.12 22.69 13.88 26.27 18.63 22.82 15.86 21.14d

{T+B} 32.45 26.29 36.46 30.94 35.14 25.57 36.38 27.52 34.95 24.52 31.02c

Mean 34.31bc 25.85ef 39.34a 28.81d 33.83c 24.82fg 36.78ab 27.60de 34.05c 22.72g

Mean 30.08b 34.07a 29.33b 32.19a 28.39b

LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 6.5754, W 2.0793, P 1.8981, P*V 2.6844

77

Table 4.16. Economic analysis (Average of both cultivars) for the impact of seed priming agents

under various irrigation water deficit conditions at the critical growth stages of wheat during average

of both years I & II {crown root initiation (CRI), tillering (T), booting (B), heading (H) stages}

Treatment Total expenditure

(US$ ha-1)

Gross Income

(US$ ha-1)

Net Income

(US$ ha-1)

Benefit Cost

Ratio

Hy

dro

-

pri

min

g

Control 629.27 1164.45 535.18 1.85

{H} 615.64 1127.32 511.68 1.84

{T+H} 602 959.06 357.06 1.59

{CRI+H } 602 981.12 379.12 1.63

{CRI+B} 602 1035.89 433.89 1.73

{T+B} 602 983.09 381.09 1.63

ML

E3

0-

pri

min

g

Control 633.82 1395.76 761.94 2.20

{H} 620.18 1233.45 613.26 1.99

{T+H} 606.55 1001.16 394.61 1.65

{CRI+H } 606.55 1219.22 612.67 2.01

{CRI+B} 606.55 1134.68 528.14 1.87

{T+B} 606.55 1182.97 576.43 1.96

KC

l-p

rim

ing

Control 642.91 1190.08 547.17 1.86

{H} 629.27 1065.05 435.78 1.69

{T+H} 615.64 975.79 360.15 1.59

{CRI+H } 615.64 915.71 300.07 1.49

{CRI+B} 615.64 1051.00 435.36 1.71

{T+B} 615.64 884.06 268.42 1.44

BA

P-p

rim

ing

Control 670.18 1232.07 561.89 1.84

{H} 656.55 1214.23 557.68 1.85

{T+H} 642.91 982.88 339.97 1.53

{CRI+H } 642.91 1115.46 472.55 1.74

{CRI+B} 642.91 1170.89 527.98 1.82

{T+B} 642.91 937.19 294.29 1.46

On

fa

rm-

pri

min

g

Control 629.27 1214.49 585.21 1.93

{H} 615.64 1053.94 438.31 1.71

{T+H} 602 904.46 302.46 1.51

{CRI+H } 602 942.94 340.94 1.57

{CRI+B} 602 987.06 385.06 1.64

{T+B} 602 966.92 364.92 1.61

78

CHAPTER 5

EXOGENOUS APPLICATION OF GROWTH

ENHANCERS MITIGATE WATER STRESS IN WHEAT

BY ANTIOXIDANT ELEVATION

5.1 Abstract

The present study was conducted to investigate the response of two wheat cultivars (AARI-11

and Millat-11) for foliar applications of four growth enhancers H2O (water), MLE30 (moringa

leaf extract), KCl (potassium chloride) and BAP (benzyl-amino purine) under various irrigation

water-regimes applied at critical growth stages, i.e. crown root initiation (CRI), tillering (T),

booting (B) and heading (H). Irrigation water-regimes included CRI+T+B, CRI+T, CRI+B,

T+B, T+H and control (CRI+T+B+H). The growth enhancers i.e. H2O, MLE30 (1:30), KCl

(2%) and BAP (50 mg L-1) were applied @ 500 L ha-1at tillering and heading stages. Results

demonstrated enhancements in leaf enzymatic (superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase)

and non-enzymatic (ascorbic acid, phenol) antioxidants of AARI-11 when MLE30 was applied

under T+B and T+H irrigation water-regimes. Similar results were observed in case of

maximum leaf chlorophyll “a” & “b” and higher K+ contents in AARI-11 cultivar under control

followed by T+B irrigation water regimes. AARI-11 produced the highest biological and grain

yield due to the application of MLE30 and BAP under control but it was non-significantly

different from CRI+T+B and T+B irrigation water-regimes. However, KCl lagged behind in

observations recorded for growth, yield and antioxidants of both cultivars under all the

irrigation water-regimes. Foliar spray of MLE30 remained prominent growth enhancer in

alleviation of imposed water stress particularly at T+B growth stages. Moreover, economic

analysis indicated that foliar application of MLE30 is a cost effective and environment friendly

strategy for the maximization of yield and income under limited water availability

Keywords: enzymes, non-enzymes, benefit cost ratio, growth regulators, irrigation water-

regimes

This study has been published in Frontier in Plant Sciences (IF: 4.495) cited as Hamid Nawaz,

Azra Yasmeen, Muhammad Akber Anjum, Nazim Hussain 2016. "Exogenous application of

growth enhancers alleviates water stress in wheat by antioxidant enhancement". doi:

10.3389/fpls.2016.00597 Volume 7 Article 597

Running title: Mitigating water stress in wheat by growth enhancers

Abbreviations: AsA, ascorbic acid; BAP, benzyl-amino purine; B, booting; BCR, benefit cost

79

ratio; CRI, crown root initiation; Chl., chlorophyll; CAT, catalase; H, heading; MLE, moringa

leaf extract; POD, peroxidase; ROS, reactive oxygen species; SOD, superoxide dismutase; T,

tillering; TPC, total phenolic contents; TSP, total soluble proteins.

5.2 Introduction

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the most important feeding cereals for one-fifth of the

total human population in the world (FAO, 2011). To resolve the food security issues for

rapidly growing world population, wheat crop requires special attention for incremental

production. Due to limitations in water availability, wheat plants face oxidative damages with

reduced leaf surface area, crop growth rate, net assimilation rate, leaf chlorophyll and grain

nutrient contents (Araus et al., 2003). For alleviating oxidative stress, application of irrigations

at vegetative and reproductive growth stages is a vital tool to obtain optimum yields. Properly

managed irrigation water-regimes at pre-anthesis and post-anthesis in wheat helps to reduce 1-

30 and 58-92% losses of grain yield, respectively (Farooq et al., 2014). Hence, the

identification of most critical growth stages of wheat to harvest maximum crop yield under

limited water availability needs exploration of innovative strategies which may enhance the

utilization of available water resources. .

Plant’s tolerance against environmental stresses can be improved by the exogenous

application of growth enhancers like proline, amino acids, ABA, glycinebetaine, BAP, silicon,

soluble sugars, humic acid and potassium (Farooq et al., 2009). Appropriate concentrations of

natural and synthetic enhancers could promote the growth of plants and ameliorate water deficit

stress by interfering metabolic and photosynthesis processes through osmotic adjustment,

scavenging ROS, increasing enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants and proteins (Bohnert

and Jensen, 1996). Previous reports indicated that selection of critical growth stages of wheat

(tillering, booting, heading, milking) for exogenous application of growth enhancers is one of

the most significant strategy to enhance antioxidants status under water deficit. (Yasmeen et

al., 2012). The use of synthetic growth enhancers like BAP or KCl may cause serious concern

for benefit cost ratio. However, previous experiments proved that application of naturally

occurring growth enhancers like sea weed extract, humic acid and moringa leaf extract (MLE)

were environment friendly as well as economically more feasible (Farooq et al., 2014).

Moringa (Moringa oleifera) is a well-known native tree of southern Punjab (Pakistan) and its

leaf extract reported as an excellent growth enhancer containing K, Ca, Fe, amino acids,

ascorbates, and growth regulating hormones such as Zeatin (Fuglie, 2000). Yasmeen et al.

80

(2012) screened out the impacts of MLE at various critical growth stages of wheat under saline

stress in a pot study and suggested the best application time is at tillering and heading. The

assessment of critical growth stages of wheat for MLE application in alleviation of drought

stress under field conditions has not been well documented, yet. Therefore, present field study

was planned to evaluate the most responsive wheat growth stages for exogenous application of

MLE, KCl and BAP with enhancements in antioxidants to induce drought tolerance under

various irrigation water-regimes.

5.3 Materials and methods

The 2 year experiments were conducted at the Agronomic Experimental Area, Bahauddin

Zakariya University Multan (71.43 °E, 30.2 °N and 122 m above sea level), Pakistan during

winter season of 2013-2014 and 2014-2015. The region has semi-arid and subtropical climate.

The data of mean annual temperature, average rainfall and relative humanity during the both

years of crop growing period is presented in Fig. 5.1. The soil belongs to Sindhlianwali soil

series (fine silty, mixed, hyperthermic, sodic haplocambids) in USDA Hap-lic Yermosols in

FAO classification (Farooq et al., 2014). It was characterized after analyzing the samples taken

from different locations of the experimental site. Soil was clay loam having ECe 2.42 dS m-1,

pH 8.7, organic matter 0.83-0.88%, total nitrogen 0.05-0.06%, available phosphorus 5.50-5.54

mg kg-1, available potassium 300-303 mg kg-1 and zinc 0.36-0.39 mg kg-1 during both years of

trials. The trial was comprised of two wheat cultivars AARI-11 (drought tolerant) and Millat-

11 (drought sensitive) (Nawaz et al., 2015). Six irrigation water-regimes were adopted based

on the critical growth stages of wheat {(crown root initiation (CRI), tillering (T), booting (B),

and heading (H) stages) i.e. irrigations applied at CRI+T+B+H (control), CRI+T+B, CRI+B,

CRI+H,T+B and T+H. Foliar application of four growth enhancers i.e. H2O (control), MLE30

(1:30), KCl (2%), BAP (50 mg L-1) @ 500 L ha-1 were applied using garden sprayer (Flat Fan

Nozzle).

For preparation of moringa leaf extract, the procedure described by Yasmeen et al.

(2012) was followed. Fresh young leaves were collected from moringa trees growning in the

Experimental Area of Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Bahauddin Zakariya

University Multan, Pakistan and stored at -80°C. The leaves were crushed through locally

available extraction machine, the extract was centrifuged at 8000 rpm for 20 min and diluted

30 times by adding distilled water in supernatant. Foliar spray of growth enhancers H2O,

MLE30, KCl, BAP were applied at the tillering and heading stages of the wheat cultivars.

Soil was moistened with pre-soaking irrigation of 10 cm depth to prepare the favorable

81

seedbed conditions. When soil reached at workable moisture level, it was ploughed twice,

followed by planking. The seed rate was 125 kg ha-1 and NPK applied at 120-100-62.5 kg ha-1

by using fertilizers urea, single super phosphate and potassium sulphate, respectively. Whole

recommended phosphorus, potash and one-third of nitrogen were applied as basal dose. The

remaining nitrogen was applied in two splits during the growing period of wheat crop. In both

years of trial, slight rains in the growing period occurred but their intensity was not enough to

change the soil moisture level under applied water deficit stress condition. Intercultural

practices and crop protection measures were practiced as per requirement of the crop uniformly

for all experimental plots.

One week after completing application of growth enhancers, flag leaf samples were

collected randomly in morning time (temp. 20 ± 2 °C) and stored in polythene bags at -80°C

for antioxidants analysis. Total soluble proteins (TSP) were quantified by following the

protocol devised by Bradford (1976). For determination of leaf enzymatic and non-enzymatic

antioxidants, standard protocols were adopted to measure peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT)

(Chance and Maehly, 1955), superoxide dismutase (SOD) (Giannopolitis and Reis, 1997),

ascorbic acid (AsA) (Ainsworth and Gillespie, 2007) and total phenolic contents (TPC)

(Waterhouse, 2001). Leaf chlorophyll (“a” and “b”) (Nagata and Yamashita, 1992) and

potassium (K+) contents (Rashid, 1986) were determined as per given standard procedures.

Number of productive tillers (m-2), number of grains per spike and 1000-grain weight was also

recorded. Mature crop was harvested on 1st and 2nd fortnight of April during first and second

years of the trail, respectively. It was threshed manually to determine grain yield, biological

yield and harvest index.

For economic analysis, total expenditures of wheat production were calculated

including land rent, seedbed preparation, cost of seed, labor for sowing, fertilizers and

irrigations application, weeds preventive measures and harvesting charges of the crops. Gross

income was calculated using recent market prices of wheat grains and straw. Net income was

obtained by subtracting the total expenditures from gross income and benefit cost-ratio

estimated as a ratio of gross income and total expenditures. Data were computed and analyzed

statistically using Fisher’s analysis of variance technique and LSD test (p≤ 0.05) to compare

differences among the mean values (Steel et al., 1997). Moreover, Microsoft Excel Program

2013 was used for the graphical presentation of meteorological data.

82

5.4 RESULTS

5.4.1 Plant growth and development

Exogenous application of various foliar agents at the tillering and heading stages significantly

alleviated the water stress with improved the growth and development of wheat during imposed

irrigation stress. AARI-11 obtained gradually increased value of LAI during 55 to 90 DAS by

the foliar application of BAP and MLE30 under the applied irrigation water-regimes of control

followed by CRI+T+B and T+B during the both years of trial (Figure 5.2). Nonetheless,

MLE30 and BAP exhibit higher LAI in Millat-11during 90 to 110 DAS as compared to H2O

and KCl during applied irrigations at CRI+T which was statistically at par with CRI+B and

T+H stages during the both years of trial (Figure 5.2). However, higher SLAD was noted in

AARI-11 plants sprayed by MLE30 under T+B irrigation water-regimes after control during

both the years study (Figure 5.3). Foliar spray of MLE30 and BAP caused gradual rise in CGR

of AARI-11 from 55 to 90 DAS in control, followed by water regimes at T+B and T+H stages

during the both years of exploration. Afterwards, CGR values of both cultivars decreased, but

the least reduction was observed in the case of MLE30 foliar spray in the applied irrigation

water-regimes during both years of trial (Figure 5.4). MLE30 and BAP applications increased

the NAR up to 90 DAS compared with H2O and KCl sprays and the maximum under the

applied irrigation water-regimes at CRI+T+B+H followed by T+B and T+H stages in AARI-

11 during the both years of study (Figure 5.5).

5.4.2 Antioxidants activities

The effect of exogenously applied stimulators on antioxidants status was found statistically

significant. The contents of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants were enhanced with the

application of enhancers under imposed water deficit stress exhibited by various irrigation

water regime at the critical growth stages in both wheat cultivars (Table 5.1-5.6). MLE30 and

BAP sprays were more effective among growth enhancers during the both years of studyto

show significant improvement in the TSP. However, maximum TSP was obtained from the

foliar application of MLE30 in Millat-11 under irrigation water-regimes of T+B followed by

T+H (Table 5.1). MLE30 and BAP application revealed maximum enzymatic SOD, POD, and

CAT activities under irrigated water-regimes of T+B respectively, in AARI-11 as compared to

Millat-11 during the both years (Table 5.2-5.4). Irrigation at T+B stages showed a dominant

and gradual rise in leaf AsA content of wheat. This enhancement was observed under foliar

application of MLE30 in all irrigation water-regimes of both cultivars during the both years of

study (Table 5.5). However, increased content of TPC was found under irrigations applied at

T+B followed by T+H stages with growth enhancer MLE30, followed by BAP and KCl in

83

AARI-11 during the both years (Table 5.6).

5.4.3 Leaf chlorophyll contents

Chlorophyll contents “a” and “b” were found significantly higher due to foliar application of

MLE30 and BAP under applied irrigation regimes of control followed by T+B stages in AARI-

11 during the both years of study (Table 5.7). Results also illustrated reduction in chlorophyll

contents “a” and “b” in Millat-11 under all irrigation water-regimes but foliar application of

MLE30 and BAP maintained their levels as compared to control (Table 5.8).

5.4.4 Leaf K+ content

MLE30 application increased leaf K+ content under imposed irrigation water-regimes. The

maximum leaf K+ content was observed in AARI-11 under the applied irrigation water-regimes

of control which was non significantly different from CRI+T+B and T+B. in the both years.

The least value of K+ contents were observed under CRI+T, CRI+B and CRI+H irrigation

water-regime in both cultivars during the both years of experiment (Table 5.9).

5.4.5 Yield and yield components

Foliar applications, irrigation water-regimes and wheat cultivars showed significant interaction

for the number of fertile tillers (Table 5.10). Results demonstrated that the application of

MLE30 and BAP with irrigation water-regimes CRI+T+B and T+B resulted in increased

number of fertile tillers in AARI-11 in a manner similar to control during the both growing

years. The minimum number of fertile tillers were observed when irrigations were applied at

CRI+B followed by T+H stages in both cultivars during the year-I and year-ll (Table 5.11).

Results revealed that the number of grains per spike with the irrigation water-regimes in

control, CRI+T+B and T+B stages were non-significantly different in both cultivars. Among

the foliar sprays, performance of MLE30 was better than BAP, KCl and H2O which produced

the maximum number of grains per spike in both cultivars under all irrigation water-regimes

(Table 5.12). The results also depicted that 1000-grain weight in AARI-11 was the maximum

under the applied irrigation water-regimes of control, followed by T+B and T+H particularly

with MLE30 treatment during the both years of study (Table 5.13). Yield determinants i.e.

grain yield, biological yield and harvest index clearly demonstrated significant results for wheat

cultivars grown under various irrigation water-regimes (Table 5.14-5.15). Among the growth

stimulators, application of MLE30 and BAP resulted in the maximum grain yield and harvest

index in AARI-11 with no water deficit. However it was statistically at par with the irrigations

applied at CRI+T+B and T+B stages during the both years. Harvest index of wheat cultivars

during the both years of trial under the applied irrigation water-regimes of control and T+B

with the application of MLE30 was highest and non-significantly different from each other

84

(Table 5.15).

5.4.6 Benefit cost ratio

Economic analysis proved that MLE30 foliar application was comparatively most cost

effective technology to obtain the maximum benefit cost ratio (BCR) with irrigation water-

regimes of CRI+T and T+B followed by control (Table 5.16).

5.5 Discussion

Foliar applications of various growth regulators at the critical growth stages

(vegetative and reproductive) usually results in healthy improvement in plants growth and

development under water stress conditions (Aown et al., 2012). In the present study, MLE30

and BAP promoted the LAI when applied as foliar spray at tillering and heading stages of

AARI-11 plants, which might be due to high moisture availability and reduced turgor pressure

under applied irrigation water regimes. This enhanced LAI under all irrigations regimes might

be responsible for increasing SLAD and CGR of AARI-11 and Millat-11 plants. It increased

the accumulation of photo-assimilates especially during 50 to 90 DAS (days after sowing) and

contributed towards attainment of maximum size and weight of grain in cultivarAARI-11

(Yasmeen et al., 2013). Improvements in NAR of both cultivars due to the foliar application

of MLE30 and BAP might be result of increase in dry matter accumulation and reduced the

severity of water stress especially at T+B and T+H irrigation water-regimes. During the

growing period the wheat cultivars when, treated with MLE30 at 90 DAS resulted in the

maximum increase in dry matter contents with increasing NAR of AARI-11 under applied

irrigation water-regimes (Blum, 1996).

Oxidative stress under water deficit conditions is characterized as an imbalance

between production of ROS and quenching activity of antioxidant system which possess a

serious threat to plant survival (White et al., 1993). The ability of plant to scavenge toxic/ active

ionic forms of oxygen radicles have seemed to be an important consideration of its tolerance

to environmental stresses including water deficit stress. Plant antioxidants defense system

including enzymatic (SOD, CAT, POD) and non-enzymatic (AsA, TPC) ones have been

proved a possible protective measure against oxidative damages by inhibiting release of ROS

(Mittler, 2002). The present study demonstrated the enhancements in antioxidants (enzymatic

and non-enzymatic) by foliar application ofMLE30 and BAP growth enhancers especially at

various sensitive growth stages of wheat cultivars under water deficit conditions is the most

effective strategy. Exogenous applications of MLE30, BAP, KCl and H2O to AARI-11 helped

in alleviating the water stress effects with enhancing in the enzymatic antioxidants defense

85

system to maintains the ionic homeostasis The mitigation effects for water stress during applied

irrigation water-regimes at T+B and T+H stages of AARI-11 plants probably achieved with

maximum activity of SOD, POD, CAT and AsA & TPC contents under the application of

MLE30 and BAP (Farooq et al., 2009). It also improved photosynthetic activity in AARI-11

cultivar under same irrigation water-regimes (Hanaa et al., 2008). The ability of MLE30 foliar

agent to initiate the positive release of antioxidants is due to presence of zeatin which reduced

the water stress and also promoted leaf chlorophyll contents “a” and “b” photosynthetically

vitals (Foidle et al., 2001).Crop yield is result of photosynthesis rate which is based on

chlorophyll contents. The present study described that increased chlorophyll contents “a” and

“b” in AARI-11 plants with larger leaf area under exogenous application of growth enhancer

facilitated the photosynthetic rate under water deficit conditions particularly T+B after control

(Ali et al., 2011). Similarly, Yasmeen et al. (2013) reported significance of MLE30 due to

presence of large amount of mineral contents including K+, an excellent plant growth enhancer/

regulator. The application of MLE30 and BAP attributed direct increase in the leaf K+ content

in AARI-11 which ultimately enhanced the uptake of K+ during the stomatal conductance

(Cakmak, 2005).

Wheat yield depends on numbers of fertile/productive tillers and grain weight at

harvest. The maximum production of fertile tiller in AARI-11 showed its greater tolerance

against water deficit stress under foliar application of MLE30 and BAP at tillering and heading

stages. So, the largest number of grains per spike and 1000-grain weight were found under

control followed by T+H and T+B irrigation water-regimes (Baque et al., 2006). Biological

yield was significantly prominent in AARI-11 plants. It might be possible that foliar application

of MLE30 and BAP at heading stage alleviated the water scarcity impact in wheat with

increased grain yield not even in control but also in T+B and T+H irrigation water-regimes

(Yasmeen et al., 2012). Tillering and heading were indicated as the most important stages for

the foliar application of growth enhancers. At the tillering stage, MLE30 promoted the booting

and similarly at the heading stage enhanced the grain filling process leading to milking thereby

increased biological yield and grain yield (Farooq et al., 2014). Foliar application also

increased the harvest index (HI) during the both years, but the maximum HI with MLE30

growth enhancer possibly due to its role in dry matter accumulation under various irrigation

water-regimes i.e. control, CRI+T+B, T+B, and T+H, respectively (Madani et al., 2010).

Economic analysis illustrated that foliar application of MLE30 was a cost effective strategy

with increased benefit cost ratio in wheat due to easy and plenty supply of moringa leaves as it

is an indigenous plant frequently growing in many parts of country.

86

5.6 Conclusion

Foliar application of naturally occurring MLE30 growth enhancer specially at the tillering and

heading stages of wheat cv. AARI-11 has a vital role in alleviation of water deficit stress with

enhancements in its antioxidants and photosynthetic contents. It provided protection against

oxidative damage with modulation of yield and yield related components under irrigation

water-regimes at T+B and T+H in a trend similar to irrigation water-regime without water

deficit conditions (control).

87

Figure 5.1 Meteorological data for growing period of wheat crop during the years 2013-14 and 2014-15

0.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

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70.0

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October November December January February March April

Rel

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%)

an

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)

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ºC)

Mean Max Temp (ºC) Mean Min Temp (ºC)

Relative Humidity (%) Rainfall (mm)

2013 2014

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October November December January February March AprilR

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e H

um

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(%

) a

nd

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(mm

)

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2014 2015

88

Fig. 5.2. Influence of foliar application of growth enhancers on leaf area index (LAI) of wheat cultivars under different irrigation water-regimes ±SE 2013-14

(Year-I), 2014-15 (Year-II) {(crown root initiation (CRI), tillering (T), booting (B), and heading (H)}

89

Fig. 5.3. Influence of foliar application of growth enhancers on seasonal leaf area duration (SLAD) of wheat cultivars under different irrigation water-regimes ±SE

2013-14 (Year-I), 2014-15 (Year-II) {(crown root initiation (CRI), tillering (T), booting (B), and heading (H)}

90

Fig. 5.4. Influence of foliar application of growth enhancers on crop growth rate (CGR) g m-2 day-1) of wheat cultivars under different irrigation water-regimes ±SE

2013-14 (Year-I), 2014-15 (Year-II) {(crown root initiation (CRI), tillering (T), booting (B), and heading (H)}

91

Fig. 5.5. Influence of foliar application of growth enhancers on net assimilation rate (NAR) g m-2 day-1) of wheat cultivars under different irrigation water-regimes

±SE 2013-14 (Year-I), 2014-15 (Year-II) {(crown root initiation (CRI), tillering (T), booting (B), and heading (H)}

92

Table 5.1. Influence of foliar application of growth enhancers on total soluble proteins (TSP) (mg g-1) of wheat cultivars under different irrigation water-regimes

during 2013-14 (Year-I), 2014-15 (Year-II)

Means not sharing the same letters differ significantly at 5% probability level. {(crown root initiation (CRI), tillering (T), booting (B), and heading (H)}

Total soluble protein (mg g-1)

Yea

r-I

Irrig

atio

n

wa

ter-re

gim

es

Foliar agents H2O MLE30 KCl BAP

Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

Control{CRI+T+B+H} 1.20o.q 0.97w 1.34d.h 1.19o.q 1.25k.n 1.20n.q 1.30g.k 1.10uv 1.19d

{CRI+T+B} 1.31g.k 1.13r.u 1.35c.g 1.16p.s 1.30g.k 1.09uv 1.27i.l 1.10uv 1.21cd

{CRI+B} 1.27i.l 1.13r.u 1.38cd 1.24l.o 1.36c.f 1.16q.t 1.32f.j 1.10t.v 1.24b

{CRI+H} 1.31f.j 1.10uv 1.34d.h 1.20n.q 1.31g.k 1.18p.r 1.30h.k 1.12s.u 1.23bc

{T+B} 1.40bc 1.21m.p 1.63a 1.37c.e 1.30g.k 1.26j.m 1.44b 1.34d.h 1.37a

{T+H} 1.27i.l 1.06v 1.35c.g 1.05v 1.32e.i 1.21m.q 1.31f.j 1.24l.o 1.23bc

Mean 1.29c 1.10f 1.40a 1.20d 1.31bc 1.18de 1.32b 1.17e

Mean 1.20c 1.30a 1.24b 1.25b

LSD 0.05p=W*F*V0.0557, W0.0197, F0.0161, F*V0.0227

Yea

r-II

Irrig

atio

n

wa

ter-re

gim

es

Foliar agents H2O MLE30 KCl BAP

Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

Control{CRI+T+B+H} 1.95d.k 1.70r 2.02c.f 1.87k.n 1.98c.h 1.85l.o 1.97c.j 1.79n.q 1.89bc

{CRI+T+B} 1.91h.m 1.75p.r 2.02c.e 1.83m.p 1.97c.i 1.76o.r 1.94e.l 1.77o.r 1.87cd

{CRI+B} 1.80n.q 1.72qr 2.02c.e 1.73qr 1.99c.h 1.88j.n 1.99c.h 1.91h.m 1.88b.d

{CRI+H} 1.83m.p 1.58s 2.02c.f 1.87k.n 1.92g.l 1.87k.n 1.98c.h 1.77o.r 1.85d

{T+B} 2.05bc 1.87k.n 2.30a 2.04b.d 1.97c.j 1.93f.l 2.12b 2.01c.g 2.03a

{T+H} 1.88i.n 1.75p.r 2.05bc 1.91h.m 2.03b.d 1.83m.p 1.99c.h 1.77o.r 1.90b

Mean 1.90c 1.73e 2.07a 1.87cd 1.98b 1.85d 1.99b 1.84d

Mean 1.81c 1.97a 1.91b 1.92b

LSD 0.05p=W*F*V0.0908, W0.0321, F0.0262, F*V0.0371

93

Table 5.2. Influence of foliar application of growth enhancers on superoxide dismutase (SOD) (IU min-1 mg-1 protein) of wheat cultivars under different irrigation

water-regimes during 2013-14 (Year-I), 2014-15 (Year-II)

Means not sharing the same letters differ significantly at 5% probability level. {(crown root initiation (CRI), tillering (T), booting (B), and heading (H)}

Superoxide dismutase (IU min-1 mg-1 protein)

Yea

r-I

Irrig

atio

n

wa

ter-re

gim

es

Foliar agents H2O MLE30 KCl BAP

Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

Control {CRI+T+B+H} 55.25h 29.52m 75.34e 66.68f 62.39f 46.96i 62.89f 56.45gh 56.93d

{CRI+T+B} 44.62i 30.56m 74.71e 74.39e 64.18f 56.54gh 67.08f 64.98f 59.63c

{CRI+B} 46.32i 36.15kl 63.27f 78.55e 43.82ij 38.70jk 52.61h 61.82fg 52.65e

{CRI+H} 42.53ij 31.23lm 86.97d 75.10e 47.11i 30.29m 66.10f 73.87e 56.65d

{T+B} 99.75b 52.89h 125.59a 85.10d 94.15c 46.65i 104.34b 74.70e 85.39a

{T+H} 63.90f 44.24i 74.53e 87.17d 64.53f 46.67i 73.81e 64.21f 64.88b

Mean 58.72f 37.43h 83.40a 77.832 b 62.69e 44.30g 71.13c 66.00d

Mean 48.07d 80.61a 53.50c 68.57b

LSD 0.05p=W*F*V5.3867, W1.9045, F1.5550, F*V2.1991

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Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

Control {CRI+T+B+H} 66.25r.t 40.52x 86.34j.l 77.68mn 73.39n.q 57.96uv 73.89n.p 67.45rs 67.93e

{CRI+T+B} 69.32p.r 59.15u 86.27j.l 101.55cd 66.82r.t 61.70tu 75.61no 84.82j.l 75.65d

{CRI+B} 62.62s.u 48.56w 92.7f.i 92.39g.i 82.18lm 74.54n.p 85.08j.l 82.98k.m 77.63c

{CRI+H} 62.53s.u 51.23w 106.9b 95.10e.g 67.11rs 50.29w 86.10j.l 93.87e.h 76.65cd

{T+B} 106.75bc 59.89u 132.59a 92.10g.i 101.15d 53.65vw 111.34b 81.70lm 92.39a

{T+H} 87.90i.k 68.24qr 98.53de 111.17b 88.53h.j 70.67o.r 97.81d.f 88.21i.k 88.88b

Mean 75.89f 54.60h 100.57a 95.00b 79.86e 61.47g 88.30c 83.17d

Mean 65.24d 97.78a 70.66c 85.73b

LSD 0.05p=W*F*V 5.0811, W1.86001, F 1.4690, F*V 2.20470

94

Table 5.3. Influence of foliar application of growth enhancers on peroxidase (POD) (mmol min-1 mg protein) of wheat cultivars under different irrigation water-

regimes during 2013-14 (Year-I), 2014-15 (Year-II

Means not sharing the same letters differ significantly at 5% probability level. {(crown root initiation (CRI), tillering (T), booting (B), and heading (H)}

Peroxidase (POD) (mmol min-1 mg protein-1)

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Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

Control{CRI+T+B+H} 22.65h.k 17.02z.b 27.67b 22.30j.l 24.26fg 21.52l.o 25.55cd 20.25q.s 22.65b

{CRI+T+B} 21.51l.o 18.01w.y 24.51ef 19.84r.t 21.34m.p 17.268y.a 22.91h.j 18.05w.y 20.43d

{CRI+B} 20.06rs 17.44x.a 22.46i.l 20.52p.r 21.18n.q 17.93w.z 20.66o.r 17.82x.z 19.76e

{CRI+H} 22.18j.m 18.37v.x 24.11fg 21.58l.o 22.65h.k 19.48s.u 22.92h.j 18.88u.w 21.27c

{T+B} 25.28de 20.69o.r 31.58a 24.23fg 23.52gh 21.69k.n 26.27c 23.41g.i 24.59a

{T+H} 19.05t.v 14.34c 22.41j.l 16.26b 19.93r.t 16.64ab 19.84r.t 17.46x.a 18.24f

Mean 21.79c 17.65f 25.46a 20.79d 22.15c 19.09e 23.03b 19.31e

Mean 19.72d 19.72d 19.72d 19.72d

LSD 0.05p=W*F*V0.9619, W0.3401, F0.2777, F*V0.3927

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Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

Control{CRI+T+B+H} 28.26lm 24.25u 31.67de 26.30p.s 26.65n.q 25.52st 29.55h.k 21.02 w 26.65d

{CRI+T+B} 26.34p.s 23.05v 29.51h.k 24.84tu 26.51o.r 22.26v 27.91lm 23.01v 25.43e

{CRI+B} 26.32p.s 24.34u 29.36i.k 27.42m.o 27.56mn 24.72tu 28.08lm 24.83tu 26.58d

{CRI+H} 30.45f.h 26.17q.s 31.91d 29.38i.k 29.98g.i 26.68n.q 30.72e.g 27.28m.p 29.07b

{T+B} 31.52de 29.69h.j 39.58a 32.23d 33.28c 28.69kl 34.27b 31.41d.f 32.59a

{T+H} 28.83j.l 23.24v 31.31d.f 25.16tu 27.95lm 25.54r.t 28.74j.l 26.36p.s 27.14c

Mean 28.62c 25.12f 32.22a 27.56d 28.65c 25.57e 29.88b 25.65e

Mean 26.87c 29.89a 27.11c 27.77b

LSD 0.05p=W*F*V0.9875, W0.3491, F 0.2851, F*V0.4032

95

Table 5.4. Influence of foliar application of growth enhancers on catalase (CAT) (μ mol min-1 mg protein) of wheat cultivars under different irrigation water-regimes

during 2013-14 (Year-I), 2014-15 (Year-II)

Means not sharing the same letters differ significantly at 5% probability level. {(crown root initiation (CRI), tillering (T), booting (B), and heading (H)}

Catalase (CAT) (μ mol min-1 mg protein)

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Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

Control{CRI+T+B+H} 8.20u 9.11r.t 10.89q 9.55 8.75s.u 8.91r.u 9.42rs 8.30u 9.14f

{CRI+T+B} 13.60no 8.66tu 14.64m 9.24r.t 13.51no 8.26u 13.70n 8.54tu 11.27e

{CRI+B} 16.80l 14.09mn 20.25h 16.72l 19.28ij 14.57m 18.67jk 14.73m 16.89d

{CRI+H} 21.61g 17.12l 23.69f 19.92hi 22.05g 18.65jk 22.07g 18.04k 20.39b

{T+B} 27.17c 21.36g 33.69a 24.81e 26.61cd 21.52g 29.68b 23.88f 26.09a

{T+H} 24.00f 10.98q 25.96d 12.14p 24.87e 12.45p 24.84e 12.87op 18.51c

Mean 18.56d 13.55h 21.52a 15.40e 19.18c 14.06g 19.73b 14.39f

Mean 16.06d 18.46a 16.62c 17.06b

LSD 0.05p=W*F*V0.7493, W0.2649, F0.2163, F*V0.3059

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Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

Control{CRI+T+B+H} 16.60lm 9.03w 18.42k 10.31uv 15.18no 8.85wx 16.62lm 9.55vw 13.07d

{CRI+T+B} 10.95tu 6.88yz 13.99pq 7.80xy 11.63st 6.15za 12.42rs 5.77a 9.45e

{CRI+B} 19.15k 12.34rs 22.79hi 14.82n.p 21.79ij 12.78r 21.09j 13.03qr 17.22c

{CRI+H} 24.79ef 13.12qr 26.80d 14.94n.p 25.69e 14.89n.p 25.66e 15.38no 20.16b

{T+B} 30.40c 21.05j 37.44a 24.47fg 29.60c 21.20j 33.00b 23.54gh 27.59a

{T+H} 23.72f.h 14.34op 25.85de 16.88l 24.15fg 15.67mn 24.16fg 15.21no 20.00b

Mean 20.94c 12.79g 24.21a 14.87d 21.34c 13.26f 22.16b 13.75e

Mean 16.86d 19.54a 17.30c 17.95b

LSD 0.05p=W*F*V1.0834, W0.3830, F0.3128, F*V0.4423

96

Table 5.5. Influence of foliar application of growth enhancers on ascorbic acid (AsA) (m. mole g-1) of wheat cultivars under different irrigation water-regimes during

2013-14 (Year-I), 2014-15 (Year-II)

Means not sharing the same letters differ significantly at 5% probability level. {(crown root initiation (CRI), tillering (T), booting (B), and heading (H)}

Ascorbic acid (AsA) (m. mole g-1)

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Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

Control{CRI+T+B+H} 31.56t 34.20s 55.76p 38.96r 31.76t 34.26s 38.26r 38.56r 37.92f

{CRI+T+B} 65.40ij 55.76p 69.46f 57.40n 65.56ij 55.90op 72.26b.d 57.10no 62.35e

{CRI+B} 71.33c.e 58.70m 71.60b.e 65.20j 71.26de 58.90lm 71.46c.e 60.10l 66.07b

{CRI+H} 67.56gh 49.90q 71.60b.e 67.83g 69.70f 50.10q 71.40c.e 66.56hi 64.33d

{T+B} 76.33a 70.50ef 77.06a 72.80b 76.26a 71.20de 76.46a 71.16de 73.97a

{T+H} 65.76ij 58.90lm 72.56bc 63.10k 67.20gh 62.33k 71.33c.e 62.76k 65.49c

Mean 62.99d 54.66h 69.67a 60.88e 63.62c 55.45g 66.86b 59.37f

Mean 58.82d 65.28a 59.53c 63.12b

LSD 0.05p=W*F*V1.2371, W0.4374, F0.3571, F*V0.5050

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Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

Control{CRI+T+B+H} 37.36z 40.00y 48.46v 45.66w 39.66y 42.16x 38.80yz 38.53yz 41.33e

{CRI+T+B} 71.20m.o 61.56rs 76.16f.h 64.10q 73.46i.k 63.80q 72.80j.m 57.66t 67.59d

{CRI+B} 71.56mn 64.70q 79.26cd 69.80o 75.10g.i 70.23no 71.86k.n 63.30qr 70.72b

{CRI+H} 73.36i.l 55.70u 78.30c.e 74.53h.j 77.60d.f 58.00t 71.93k.n 67.06p 69.56c

{T+B} 82.13b 76.30fg 83.76ab 79.50c 84.16a 79.10cd 77.00ef 71.66l.n 79.20a

{T+H} 77.13ef 64.50q 78.30c.e 71.90k.n 79.16cd 66.80p 72.00k.m 60.66s 71.30b

Mean 68.79c 60.46f 74.04a 67.58d 71.52b 63.35e 67.40d 59.81f

Mean 64.62c 70.81a 67.43b 63.60d

LSD 0.05p=W*F*V1.7452, W0.6170, F 0.5038, F*V0.7125

97

Table 5.6. Influence of foliar application of growth enhancers on total phenolic contents (TPC) (mg g-1) of wheat cultivars under different irrigation water-regimes

during 2013-14 (Year-I), 2014-15 (Year-II)

Means not sharing the same letters differ significantly at 5% probability level. {(crown root initiation (CRI), tillering (T), booting (B), and heading (H)}

Total phenolic contents (TPC) (mg g-1)

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Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

Control{CRI+T+B+H} 1.80st 1.29uv 2.91l.n 2.43o.q 1.87rs 1.40u 2.73m.o 2.15qr 2.07d

{CRI+T+B} 1.50tu 1.01v 3.30i.k 2.70m.o 1.47tu 0.98v 2.98k.m 2.35pq 2.04d

{CRI+B} 3.30i.k 2.56op 4.07de 3.67fg 3.43g.i 2.98k.m 3.79ef 3.31h.k 3.39c

{CRI+H} 4.40cd 3.64f.h 4.45bc 3.61f.i 3.63f.i 2.57n.p 3.36g.j 3.47f.i 3.64b

{T+B} 3.61f.i 3.03j.m 4.89a 4.42c 3.68fg 3.08j.l 4.80a 4.22cd 3.97a

{T+H} 4.43c 2.91l.n 4.78ab 3.44g.i 3.47f.i 1.96rs 4.84a 3.31h.k 3.64b

Mean 3.17d 2.41f 4.06a 3.38c 2.93e 2.16g 3.75b 3.14d

Mean 2.79c 3.72a 2.54d 3.44b

LSD 0.05p=W*F*V0.3364, W0.1189, F0.0971, F*V0.1373

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Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

Control{CRI+T+B+H} 2.58k.p 1.47qr 3.02h.n 2.32l.q 2.01n.r 1.29r 2.84i.n 2.04n.r 2.20c

{CRI+T+B} 1.80o.r 1.22r 3.48e.k 2.73j.o 1.65p.r 1.19r 2.78j.o 2.35l.q 2.15c

{CRI+B} 3.12h.l 3.55d.k 4.29c.g 3.83d.i 3.10h.m 3.97c.h 3.32f.l 4.30b.f 3.68b

{CRI+H} 3.66d.j 3.10h.m 4.54a.d 3.65d.j 3.13h.l 2.41l.q 3.45e.k 3.51d.k 3.43b

{T+B} 4.27c.g 3.26g.l 5.46a 3.84d.i 4.34b.f 3.31f.l 5.33ab 4.45a.e 4.28a

{T+H} 3.71d.j 3.04h.n 4.89 a.c 2.87i.n 3.58d.k 2.09m.r 4.95a.c 2.97h.n 3.51b

Mean 3.19c 2.61de 4.28a 3.21c 2.97cd 2.38e 3.78b 3.27c

Mean 2.90b 3.74a 2.67b 3.53a

LSD 0.05p=W*F*V1.0308, W0.3644, F0.2976, F*V0.4208

98

Table 5.7. Influence of foliar application of growth enhancers on chlorophyll “a” (mg g-1) of wheat cultivars under different irrigation water-regimes during 2013-14

(Year-I), 2014-15 (Year-II)

Means not sharing the same letters differ significantly at 5% probability level. {(crown root initiation (CRI), tillering (T), booting (B), and heading (H)}

Chlorophyll “a” (mg g-1)

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Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

Control{CRI+T+B+H} 1.07m.q 0.85q.s 2.53a 2.15cd 2.20b.d 0.80q.s 2.33a.c 1.07m.q 1.62a

{CRI+T+B} 1.07m.q 0.83q.s 1.57g.k 1.91d.f 2.13cd 0.89q.s 2.12cd 0.87q.s 1.42bc

{CRI+B} 0.91p.r 1.00n.q 1.47h.l 1.46h.l 1.19l.p 1.55g.k 1.39i.l 1.69e.i 1.33cd

{CRI+H} 0.39t 1.20l.p 0.61st 2.45ab 0.87q.s 1.29k.n 1.21l.o 1.63f.j 1.21e

{T+B} 1.21l.o 1.38j.l 2.08cd 1.35j.m 1.97de 0.79q.s 1.72e.h 1.31k.m 1.48b

{T+H} 0.40t 0.98o.q 2.35a.c 1.44h.l 1.42i.l 0.64r.t 1.78e.g 0.89q.s 1.24de

Mean 0.84e 1.04d 1.77a 1.79a 1.63b 0.99d 1.76a 1.24c

Mean 0.94d 1.78a 1.31c 1.50b

LSD 0.05p=W*F*V0.2950, W0.1043, F0.0852, F*V0.1204

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Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

Control{CRI+T+B+H} 2.53a.c 1.13n.r 2.63ab 2.03de 1.76e.h 1.73e.i 2.27cd 1.66g.j 1.97a

{CRI+T+B} 1.57g.l 0.95q.t 1.68f.j 1.66g.j 1.18m.r 0.88r.t 1.42i.n 0.93r.t 1.28d

{CRI+B} 1.27l.q 1.56g.l 1.56g.l 1.48h.m 0.99o.s 1.02o.s 1.48h.m 1.70f.j 1.38cd

{CRI+H} 0.97p.s 1.48h.m 0.72s.u 2.64ab 0.49u 1.39j.n 1.32k.o 1.82e.g 1.35cd

{T+B} 2.41bc 0.91r.t 2.74a 2.26cd 1.29l.p 0.97p.s 2.54a.c 1.19m.r 1.79b

{T+H} 1.64g.k 0.75s.u 2.57a.c 1.55g.l 0.62tu 1.10n.r 2.00d.f 1.00o.s 1.40c

Mean 1.73c 1.13e 1.98a 1.93ab 1.05e 1.18e 1.84bc 1.38d

Mean 1.43c 1.96a 1.12d 1.61b

LSD 0.05p=W*F*V0.3309, W0.1170, F 0.0955, F*V0.1351

99

Table 5.8. Influence of foliar application of growth enhancers on chlorophyll “b” (mg g-1) of wheat cultivars under different irrigation water-regimes during 2013-14

(Year-I), 2014-15 (Year-II)

Means not sharing the same letters differ significantly at 5% probability level. {(crown root initiation (CRI), tillering (T), booting (B), and heading (H)}

Chlorophyll “b” (mg g-1)

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Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

Control{CRI+T+B+H} 0.21q 0.86c 0.61u 0.89b 0.59x 0.72k 0.49e 0.70n 0.63a

{CRI+T+B} 0.60w 0.52d 0.72j 0.70m 0.52c 0.61t 0.48g 0.56z 0.59c

{CRI+B} 0.37l 0.57y 0.73i 0.65q 0.72l 0.30n 0.74f 0.32m 0.55d

{CRI+H} 0.46h 0.20r 0.80e 0.60v 0.61v 0.45i 0.65p 0.44j 0.53e

{T+B} 0.53b 0.25p 0.90a 0.68o 0.82d 0.54a 0.74h 0.44k 0.61b

{T+H} 0.27o 0.09s 0.74g 0.64s 0.72j 0.49f 0.65r 0.59x 0.52f

Mean 0.41h 0.41g 0.75a 0.69b 0.66c 0.52e 0.62d 0.51f

Mean 0.41d 0.72a 0.59b 0.57c

LSD 0.05p=W*F*V0.173, W0.164, F0.422, F*V0.0153

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Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

Control{CRI+T+B+H} 1.03b 0.47st 1.06a 0.87f 0.89e 0.85fg 0.87f 0.75i 0.85a

{CRI+T+B} 0.72j 0.61no 0.84g 0.79h 0.64m 0.70k 0.60n.p 0.65lm 0.69b

{CRI+B} 0.55q 0.64lm 0.91d 0.72j 0.90de 0.37v 0.76i 0.39v 0.65c

{CRI+H} 0.47st 0.21y 0.62n 0.61no 0.51r 0.46tu 0.59op 0.45u 0.49e

{T+B} 0.30w 0.55q 0.95c 0.84g 0.59p 0.70k 0.49s 0.76i 0.63d

{T+H} 0.28x 0.11z 0.75i 0.66l 0.73j 0.31w 0.66lm 0.21y 0.46f

Mean 0.56e 0.43g 0.85a 0.75b 0.71c 0.56e 0.66d 0.53f

Mean 0.49d 0.80a 0.64b 0.60c

LSD 0.05p=W*F*V0.0193, W0.1112, F 0.232, F*V0.1209

100

Table 5.9. Influence of foliar application of growth enhancers on K+ contents (mg g-1) of wheat cultivars under different irrigation water-regimes during 2013-14

(Year-I), 2014-15 (Year-II)

Means not sharing the same letters differ significantly at 5% probability level. {(crown root initiation (CRI), tillering (T), booting (B), and heading (H)}

K+ contents (mg g-1)

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Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

Control{CRI+T+B+H} 2.00d 1.90e 2.33a 2.20b 2.10c 1.80f 2.20b 2.10c 2.07a

{CRI+T+B} 1.80f 1.10m 2.20b 1.40j 1.60h 1.30k 1.70g 1.40j 1.56c

{CRI+B} 0.60q 0.60q 1.10m 1.00n 0.80p 0.80p 0.90o 0.90o 0.83f

{CRI+H} 1.10m 1.10m 1.20l 1.40j 1.00n 1.10m 1.10m 1.10m 1.13e

{T+B} 1.60h 1.50i 2.20b 1.80f 1.70g 1.60h 2.00d 1.70g 1.76b

{T+H} 1.30k 1.20l 1.40j 1.30k 1.20l 1.10m 1.30k 1.20l 1.25d

Mean 1.40c 1.23e 1.73a 1.51b 1.40c 1.28d 1.53b 1.40c

Mean 1.31c 1.62a 1.34c 1.46b

LSD 0.05p=W*F*V0.0969, W0.0343, F0.0280, F*V0.0396

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Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

Control{CRI+T+B+H} 2.43c.g 2.37c.i 3.01a 2.59b.d 2.46c.g 2.24e.l 2.51c.e 2.44c.g 2.50a

{CRI+T+B} 2.24e.l 2.14g.o 2.61b.d 2.39c.h 2.21e.n 2.14f.o 2.64bc 2.33c.j 2.34b

{CRI+B} 1.57t.v 1.50uv 1.72q.v 1.59s.v 1.48uv 1.39v 1.58s.v 1.50uv 1.54f

{CRI+H} 1.70r.v 1.70r.v 1.89m.t 1.99j.r 1.66r.v 1.84o.t 1.70r.v 1.78p.u 1.78e

{T+B} 2.48c.f 1.76p.u 2.87ab 2.07h.p 2.28d.k 1.97k.r 2.22e.m 2.05i.q 2.21c

{T+H} 1.95k.r 1.81o.u 2.08h.p 1.91l.s 1.87n.t 1.71q.v 1.96k.r 1.96k.r 1.91d

Mean 2.06b 1.88c 2.36a 2.09b 1.99bc 1.88c 2.10b 2.01bc

Mean 1.97bc 2.23a 1.94c 2.05b

LSD 0.05p=W*F*V0.3404, W0.1204, F0.0983, F*V0.1390

101

Table 5.10. Influence of foliar application of growth enhancers on fertile tillers (m-2) of wheat cultivars under different irrigation water-regimes during 2013-14 (Year-

I), 2014-15 (Year-II)

Means not sharing the same letters differ significantly at 5% probability level. {(crown root initiation (CRI), tillering (T), booting (B), and heading (H)}

Fertile tillers (m-2)

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Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

Control{CRI+T+B+H} 300f.h 342a.c 348ab 351a 309e.g 336a.c 343a.c 330b.d 332a

{CRI+T+B} 330b.d 312d.f 342a.c 333a.c 334a.c 297f.h 342a.c 308e.g 325b

{CRI+B} 289gh 290gh 302f.h 287h 295f.h 301f.h 295f.h 292gh 294c

{CRI+H} 202j.l 209j 240i 196j.l 201j.l 201j.l 200j.l 197j.l 206d

{T+B} 339a.c 239i 340a.c 238i 329b.d 248i 323c.e 247i 288c

{T+H} 188kl 184l 205jk 188kl 191j.l 187kl 188kl 184l 189e

Mean 275b 263c 296a 265c 276b 261c 282b 259c

Mean 269b 281a 269b 271b

LSD 0.05p=W*F*V20.179, W7.1343, F5.8251, F*V8.2379

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Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

Control{CRI+T+B+H} 270g.j 332a.e 352a 355a 290f.i 323a.f 335a.d 336a.d 324a

{CRI+T+B} 312c.f 305d.g 331a.e 337a.d 337a.d 268ij 348ab 314b.f 319a

{CRI+B} 324a.f 241j.l 344a.c 242j.l 322a.f 232k.m 329a.e 253jk 286b

{CRI+H} 204m.p 211l.o 224k.n 200m.p 204m.p 199m.p 206m.p 203m.p 206c

{T+B} 291f.i 292f.i 306d.f 291f.i 298e.i 304d.h 270h.j 297e.i 293b

{T+H} 190n.q 186o.q 209l.p 193n.q 193n.q 174pq 194n.q 159q 187d

Mean 265c 261cd 294a 269bc 274bc 250d 280ab 260cd

Mean 263b 282a 262b 270b

LSD 0.05p=W*F*V35.170, W12.434, F10.153, F*V14.358

102

Table 5.11. Influence of foliar application of growth enhancers on grain spike-1 of wheat cultivars under different irrigation water-regimes during 2013-14 (Year-I),

2014-15 (Year-II)

Means not sharing the same letters differ significantly at 5% probability level. {(crown root initiation (CRI), tillering (T), booting (B), and heading (H)}

Grain Spike-1

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Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

Control{CRI+T+B+H} 36v 37t 50a 45d 41k 37t 46c 40n 41b

{CRI+T+B} 42g 36v 47b 45d 44e 37t 46c 40n 42a

{CRI+B} 34z 39o 46c 42hi 38qr 42hi 42hi 39o 40c

{CRI+H} 31b 39p 42g 41k 36w 40m 42i 41l 39d

{T+B} 38q 34a 42f 42h 40n 35x 41k 38r 39e

{T+H} 37u 37s 42f 39o 35y 37t 42j 38p 38f

Mean 36h 37g 45a 42c 39e 38f 43b 39d

Mean 37d 44a 38c 41b

LSD 0.05p=W*F*V0.1351, W0.0478, F0.0390, F*V0.0552

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Control{CRI+T+B+H} 42kl 43jk 55a 51bc 47fg 43jk 47f.h 45g.i 46b

{CRI+T+B} 48ef 41lm 52b 50cd 49de 42kl 51bc 45hi 47a

{CRI+B} 44ij 39no 48ef 48ef 45hi 41lm 46gh 43jk 44d

{CRI+H} 37p 44ij 48ef 47fg 41lm 46gh 47fg 46gh 44d

{T+B} 39no 44ij 51bc 47fg 43jk 47fg 47fg 44ij 45c

{T+H} 38op 41l.n 47fg 41lm 39no 40m.o 46gh 41k.m 41e

Mean 41e 42e 50a 47b 44c 43d 47b 44c

Mean 42d 49a 43c 46b

LSD 0.05p=W*F*V1.7024, W0.6019, F0.4914, F*V0.6950

103

Table 5.12. Influence of foliar application of growth enhancers on 1000 grain weight (g) of wheat cultivars under different irrigation water-regimes during 2013-14

(Year-I), 2014-15 (Year-II)

Means not sharing the same letters differ significantly at 5% probability level. {(crown root initiation (CRI), tillering (T), booting (B), and heading (H)}

1000 Grain weight (g)

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Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

Control{CRI+T+B+H} 37.30l 37.86j 51.60a 43.20c 40.40f 37.50k 43.00d 39.70g 41.32a

{CRI+T+B} 33.06v 35.66p 43.76b 37.16m 35.56q 35.06r 35.96o 36.26n 36.56b

{CRI+B} 31.36b 30.46d 32.76x 34.36s 29.76f 30.76c 31.46a 32.46z 31.67d

{CRI+H} 23.80o 24.80m 30.16e 32.90w 26.26k 24.80m 27.16j 26.30k 27.02f

{T+B} 28.00i 28.76g 33.40u 39.46h 32.60y 28.06h 33.10v 34.06t 32.18c

{T+H} 32.46z 23.66p 42.46e 24.96l 37.16m 22.16q 39.36i 24.26n 30.81e

Mean 31.00f 30.20g 39.02a 35.34b 33.62d 29.72h 35.01c 32.17e

Mean 30.60d 37.18a 31.67c 33.59b

LSD 0.05p=W*F*V0.0446,W0.0158, F 0.0129, F*V0.0182

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Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

Control{CRI+T+B+H} 39.16j 39.76h 48.76a 41.06d 41.66c 38.76k 44.36b 40.36g 41.74a

{CRI+T+B} 29.86I 30.66F 34.46u 36.56q 33.86x 29.26J 30.56G 35.40s 32.58c

{CRI+B} 33.26Z 32.36B 32.80A 33.80y 31.00E 32.00C 29.90I 31.50D 32.07d

{CRI+H} 25.66q 26.66O 28.50K 30.06H 27.50M 26.06P 27.30N 27.66L 27.42f

{T+B} 34.96t 37.56n 40.90e 37.66M 36.80p 36.30r 37.36o 34.30w 36.98b

{T+H} 34.36v 25.56r 40.70f 25.66Q 38.36l 23.40S 39.56i 22.10T 31.21e

Mean 32.88e 32.10f 37.68a 34.13d 34.86b 30.96h 34.84c 31.88g

Mean 32.49d 35.91a 32.91c 33.36b

LSD 0.05p=W*F*V0.0452,W0.0160, F0.0131, F*V0.0185

104

Table 5.13. Influence of foliar application of growth enhancers on grain yield (t ha-1) of wheat cultivars under different irrigation water-regimes during 2013-14

(Year-I), 2014-15 (Year-II)

Means not sharing the same letters differ significantly at 5% probability level. {(crown root initiation (CRI), tillering (T), booting (B), and heading (H)}

Grain yield (t/ha)

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Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

Control{CRI+T+B+H} 4.55h.l 4.07n.p 5.65a 4.41j.n 4.86e.h 4.29k.o 4.92d.g 4.31j.o 4.63a

{CRI+T+B} 4.38j.n 2.08v 5.47ab 4.62g.k 5.22b.d 3.14tu 5.28bc 4.18m.p 4.29c

{CRI+B} 4.48j.m 2.20v 4.97c.f 3.93pq 4.50i.m 2.94u 4.58g.k 3.88p.r 3.93e

{CRI+H} 4.40j.n 3.14tu 5.17b.e 4.62f.k 3.41st 4.20m.p 4.65f.j 4.57g.k 4.27c

{T+B} 4.59g.k 3.43st 5.25b.d 4.44j.m 5.09c.e 3.55rs 5.10c.e 4.32j.o 4.47b

{T+H} 4.01o.q 3.69q.s 4.83e.i 4.46j.m 4.21l.p 3.44st 4.34j.o 4.01o.q 4.12d

Mean 4.40d 3.10g 5.22a 4.41cd 4.55c 3.59f 4.81b 4.21e

Mean 3.75d 4.82a 4.07c 4.51b

LSD 0.05p=W*F*V0.3470,W0.1227, F0.1002, F*V0.1416

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Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

Control{CRI+T+B+H} 4.88f.k 4.25p.r 5.84a 5.40bc 4.88f.k 4.38n.r 5.37b.d 5.28b.e 5.04a

{CRI+T+B} 4.55k.q 5.18c.f 5.19c.f 4.41m.r 4.56k.q 4.90f.k 5.00e.i 5.37b.d 4.89b

{CRI+B} 4.68h.n 4.61j.p 5.40bc 5.11c.g 4.63i.o 3.42u 4.95e.j 4.08rs 4.61c

{CRI+H} 4.51l.q 4.41m.r 4.76g.m 4.85f.l 4.41m.r 3.67tu 4.58k.q 4.58k.q 4.47d

{T+B} 4.68h.n 4.11rs 5.63ab 5.40bc 4.41m.r 4.38n.r 5.12c.g 5.37b.d 4.89b

{T+H} 4.21qr 4.27o.r 5.03d.h 5.17c.f 3.79st 4.78g.l 5.06c.g 4.60j.p 4.61c

Mean 4.59d 4.47d 5.31a 5.06b 4.45d 4.26e 5.01bc 4.88c

Mean 4.53c 5.18a 4.35d 4.94b

LSD 0.05p=W*F*V0.3659,W0.1294, F0.1056, F*V0.1494

105

Table 5.14. Influence of foliar application of growth enhancers on biological yield (t ha-1) of wheat cultivars under different irrigation water-regimes during 2013-14

(Year-I), 2014-15 (Year-II)

Means not sharing the same letters differ significantly at 5% probability level. {(crown root initiation (CRI), tillering (T), booting (B), and heading (H)}

Biological yield (t/ha)

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Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

Control{CRI+T+B+H} 12.03f 9.93s 13.33a 11.33i 12.83d 9.33x 12.96c 10.66n 11.55a

{CRI+T+B} 11.16j 7.96E 11.66g 10.03r 11.13j 8.53C 11.36i 9.16z 10.12d

{CRI+B} 10.20q 8.86A 11.66g 11.13j 11.60h 9.13z 11.16j 9.73u 10.43c

{CRI+H} 9.80t 7.63G 10.16q 10.06r 9.83t 7.83F 9.90s 8.76B 9.25f

{T+B} 10.73m 8.03D 13.03b 11.16j 11.03k 9.13z 12.46e 9.63v 10.65b

{T+H} 10.33p 7.63G 10.96l 9.46w 10.43o 8.86A 10.73m 9.23y 9.70e

Mean 10.71d 8.34h 11.80a 10.53e 11.14c 8.80g 11.43b 9.53f

Mean 9.52d 11.16a 9.97c 10.48b

LSD 0.05p=W*F*V0.0500,W0.0177, F0.0144, F*V0.0204

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Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

Control{CRI+T+B+H} 13.42b.d 11.69g.m 14.47a 12.14f.i 13.30b.e 11.81g.k 13.83ab 10.84l.r 12.69a

{CRI+T+B} 12.60d.g 10.19q.v 13.58a.c 11.77g.l 12.77c.f 11.82g.k 12.80c.f 11.41h.o 12.12b

{CRI+B} 9.91s.v 8.27w 12.80c.f 10.93k.r 10.79m.s 9.80t.v 11.17j.p 10.40p.u 10.51e

{CRI+H} 11.51h.m 10.10r.v 13.40b.d 11.43h.n 11.36i.o 10.48o.t 10.56n.t 11.16j.p 11.25cd

{T+B} 11.07j.q 10.19q.v 13.81ab 11.89f.j 12.11f.i 10.54n.t 12.21f.i 10.79m.s 11.57c

{T+H} 10.90k.r 9.47uv 13.54bc 12.33f.h 11.36i.o 9.45v 12.45e.g 10.15q.v 11.21d

Mean 11.57c 9.98e 13.60a 11.75c 11.95bc 10.65d 12.17b 10.79d

Mean 10.78c 12.67a 11.30b 11.48b

LSD 0.05p=W*F*V0.9298,W0.3287, F0.2684, F*V0.3796

106

Table 5.15. Influence of foliar application of growth enhancers on harvest index (%) of wheat cultivars under different irrigation water-regimes during 2013-14

(Year-I), 2014-15 (Year-II)

Means not sharing the same letters differ significantly at 5% probability level. {(crown root initiation (CRI), tillering (T), booting (B), and heading (H)}

Harvest index (%)

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Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

Control{CRI+T+B+H} 37.11f.m 40.51a.g 41.93a 41.78ab 33.17n.s 40.62a.f 41.00a.e 37.84c.l 39.24a

{CRI+T+B} 34.69l.r 39.05a.j 38.08b.l 31.90p.s 34.86k.q 39.75a.h 37.46d.m 41.22a.d 37.13b

{CRI+B} 39.89a.h 32.87o.s 41.53a.c 35.53j.p 35.81i.o 27.77t 39.62a.i 31.58q.t 35.57c

{CRI+H} 37.71d.m 29.72st 38.58a.k 34.42l.r 36.78g.n 30.92r.t 37.90c.l 33.24n.s 34.91c

{T+B} 35.64j.p 37.23e.m 39.64a.h 38.06b.l 36.29h.o 36.15h.o 37.54d.m 36.40h.o 37.12b

{T+H} 36.98f.n 32.67o.s 40.25a.g 37.59d.m 34.81k.q 33.93m.r 38.02b.l 35.17k.q 36.18bc

Mean 37.00b 35.34cd 40.00a 36.55bc 35.28cd 34.86d 38.59a 35.91b.d

Mean 36.17bc 38.27a 35.07c 37.25ab

LSD 0.05p=W*F*V3.8185,W1.3500, F1.1023, F*V1.5589

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Control{CRI+T+B+H} 41.55a.e 33.67n.p 45.11ab 40.06c.j 42.02a.d 33.75n.p 41.86a.d 37.41f.n 39.43a

{CRI+T+B} 38.44d.m 31.14op 44.08a.c 40.50c.i 30.15pq 40.13c.j 38.65d.m 40.99c.f 38.01ab

{CRI+B} 34.17n.p 34.80m.o 39.05d.l 39.78d.k 36.54h.n 36.32j.n 35.52l.n 36.34j.n 36.56b

{CRI+H} 34.79m.o 20.47r 41.09b.f 39.29d.l 39.29d.l 26.60q 40.61c.h 36.68g.n 34.85c

{T+B} 40.78c.g 26.89q 45.20a 36.07j.n 41.92a.d 30.16pq 41.00b.f 37.38f.n 37.42b

{T+H} 36.81g.n 34.82m.o 39.18d.l 36.20j.n 37.43f.n 36.45i.n 35.68k.n 37.51f.n 36.76b

Mean 37.76b 30.30d 42.28a 38.65b 37.89b 33.90c 38.89b 37.71b

Mean 34.03d 40.47a 35.90c 38.30b

LSD 0.05p=W*F*V4.1122,W1.4539, F 1.1871, F*V1.6788

107

Table 5.16. Economic analysis of cultivars (mean) for the impact of foliar application of growth enhancers under various

irrigation levels at the critical growth stages of wheat. {(crown root initiation (CRI), tillering (T), booting (B), and heading

(H)}

Treatment

Total expenditure

(US$ ha-1)

Gross income

(US$ ha-1)

Net income

(US$ ha-1)

Benefit cost

Ratio

2013-14 2014-15

2013-14 2014-15

2013-14 2014-15

2013-14 2014-15

H2O

fo

lia

r

Sp

ray

{Control} 629.27 629.27 1282.33 1046.57 653.06 417.29 2.04 1.66

{CRI+T+B} 615.64 615.64 1129.78 1124.85 514.14 509.21 1.84 1.83

{CRI+B} 602.00 602.00 989.42 928.70 387.42 326.70 1.64 1.54

{CRI+H} 602.00 602.00 891.71 1074.46 289.71 472.46 1.48 1.78

{T+B} 602.00 602.00 886.56 1075.68 284.56 473.68 1.47 1.79

{T+H} 602.00 602.00 1033.09 1038.68 431.09 436.68 1.72 1.73

ML

E3

0 f

oli

ar

spra

y {Control} 633.55 606.55 997.95 1367.99 391.40 761.45 1.65 2.26

{CRI+T+B} 620.18 620.18 1183.97 1282.92 563.78 662.74 1.91 2.07

{CRI+B} 606.55 606.55 995.79 1006.53 389.24 399.98 1.64 1.66

{CRI+H} 606.55 606.55 1172.01 1266.43 565.46 659.88 1.93 2.09

{T+B} 606.82 633.82 1479.73 1311.78 845.92 677.96 2.33 2.07

{T+H} 606.55 606.55 1019.57 1249.79 413.02 643.25 1.68 2.06

KC

l fo

lia

r

Sp

ray

{Control} 642.91 642.91 1219.56 1160.59 576.65 517.68 1.90 1.81

{CRI+T+B} 629.27 629.27 969.19 1160.91 339.92 531.64 1.54 1.84

{CRI+B} 615.64 615.64 1048.31 903.26 432.67 287.62 1.70 1.47

{CRI+H} 615.64 615.64 731.44 1036.67 115.81 421.03 1.19 1.68

{T+B} 615.64 615.64 793.32 1038.09 177.68 422.45 1.29 1.69

{T+H} 615.64 615.64 930.64 1171.35 315.00 555.72 1.51 1.90

BA

P f

oli

ar

Sp

ray

{Control} 670.18 670.18 1445.62 1018.51 775.44 348.33 2.16 1.52

{CRI+T+B} 656.55 656.55 1130.94 1297.51 474.40 640.96 1.72 1.98

{CRI+B} 642.91 642.91 1025.59 940.16 382.68 297.25 1.60 1.46

{CRI+H} 642.91 642.91 892.51 981.87 249.61 338.96 1.39 1.53

{T+B} 642.91 642.91 977.00 1253.91 334.09 611.00 1.52 1.95

{T+H} 642.91 642.91 1041.61 1300.17 398.70 657.26 1.62 2.02

108

CHAPTER 6

6.1 FINDINGS OF DISSERTATION

The present study was designed to explore the cost effective techniques for enhancements in

wheat grain yield under the gradual shortage of water with special reference to agro climatic

conditions of Multan, Pakistan. Different approaches like screening of wheat cultivars and

modulation of their drought tolerance/sensitivity potential with exogenous application of

natural and synthetic growth enhancers were employed. The exogenous application modes

under study were seed priming and foliar application in separate independent experiments. The

findings of the research were as follows;

1. Wheat cultivar AARI-11 ranked first with maximum tillers, grain yield and antioxidant

behavior under various irrigation water regime and deficit irrigation water conditions.

2. MLE30 was proved to be the most efficient and cost-effective naturally occurring

priming agent under imposed water stress compared with BAP, K+, hydro and on farm

priming.

3. Foliar application of MLE30 at tillering and heading stages significantly enhanced the

wheat yield under drought conditions and effectively minimized the drastic effects of

water deficit.

4. The modulation of antioxidant defense system played a significant role in mitigation of

drought stress by MLE30 priming or foliar application.

5. The tillering and booting stages of wheat were identified as most critical for Irrigations

application but the application of growth enhancers generally and MLE30 specially

proved the most effective management technique for maximizing the productivity

under limited availability of irrigation water.

6.2 SUGGESTIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS

Based on the one year screening trial for approved wheat cultivars under drought stress

with maintaining field capacity, cultivar AARI-11is recommended as drought tolerant.

Based on findings of field studies MLE30 a naturally occurring plant growth enhancer

can be used as seed priming prior to sowing and foliar application at tillering and

heading stages to enhance the grain yield of wheat crop.

The present project also demonstrated that under the limited availability of irrigation

water, farmers should manage to apply water at the tillering and booting stages.

109

6.3 FUTURE RESEARCH NEEDS

Potential of seed priming with MLE30 should be continued in other cash crop under

different agro-ecological zones of Pakistan to authenticate and support these

findings.

Physiological and morphological mechanism to mitigate the water deficit through

antioxidant, osmolytes and stress regulating protein should be studied.

Mechanism of photosynthates distribution and assimilation need to be investigated

after MLE application through different latest analytical techniques.

The potential of MLE 30 should be explored in improving tolerance of wheat crop

against other abiotic stresses like temperature, salinity etc.

6.4 CONTRIBUTION TO KNOWLEDGE

The findings of this research project have been generated originally based data on screened

wheat cultivar AARI-11in response to drought stress. It will provides an insight into awareness

for the way to adopt priming and foliar technique with moringa leaf extract growth enhancer

to enhance the drought tolerance and grain yield in wheat. According to author’s best

knowledge, this piece of work entitled “improvement in growth, yield and antioxidant status

of wheat with exogenous application of growth enhancers under drought stress conditions”

explored and quantified for the first time through a systematic field-oriented research that has

been added new information in the current research work. The knowledge is of practical nature

and may easily be replicable for wheat producers of this region.

110

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APPENDIX

ACCORDING TO JOURNAL FORMATE FOR RESEAERCH ARTICLE SUBMISSION

CHAPTER 4 Table 4.1. Influence of different seed priming agents on total soluble protein (TSP), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase(POD) of wheat cultivars under applied water stress condition during 2013-2104 (Year-I), 2014-2015 (Year-II).

Means not sharing the same letters differ significantly at 5% probability level. {crown root initiation (CRI), tillering (T), booting (B), heading (H) stages}

Year-I

Year-II

TS

P

(mg

g-1

)

Hydro-priming MLE30-priming KCl (osmopriming) BAP-priming On farm priming

Hydro-priming MLE30-priming KCl (osmopriming) BAP-priming On farm priming

AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

Control 0.78 0.14 1.55 1.74 0.35 0.89 0.59 1.68 0.40 0.12 0.82c 0.99s.u 0.36B 1.22i.k 0.52Z 1.05qr 0.34B 1.09o.q 0.42A 0.99s.u 0.35B 0.73f

{H} 0.95 0.80 1.82 1.36 1.11 1.34 1.61 1.06 1.29 0.38 1.17ab 1.23ij 0.92v.y 1.44f 1.01r.t 1.07pq 0.89w.y 1.36g 0.98stu 1.17j.n 0.91v.y 1.10d

{T+H} 0.89 0.57 1.99 1.48 0.55 0.46 1.56 1.21 0.81 1.07 1.06bc 1.03q.s 0.89w.y 1.06qr 0.94u.x 0.96t.v 0.88xy 1.05qr 0.91v.y 0.95u.w 0.86y 0.95e

{CRI+H } 1.63 1.15 2.15 2.05 1.00 0.76 1.34 1.74 1.78 0.71 1.43a 1.84b 1.51e 1.94a 1.65c 1.80b 1.55e 1.86b 1.54e 1.80b 1.53e 1.70a

{CRI+B} 1.14 0.89 2.09 1.93 1.11 0.66 0.99 1.46 1.02 0.88 1.22ab 1.29h 1.09o.q 1.65c 1.28hi 1.62cd 1.18j.n 1.56de 1.23ij 1.55e 1.15l.o 1.36b

{T+B} 1.49 0.14 1.89 1.85 1.21 1.46 1.49 0.29 1.23 0.44 1.15ab 1.15l.o 1.14m.o 1.21j.l 1.19j.n 1.17j.n 1.14m.o 1.20j.m 1.17j.n 1.16k.n 1.13n.p 1.16c

Mean 1.15b 0.61c 1.91a 1.74a 0.89bc 0.93bc 1.26b 1.24b 1.09b 0.60c

1.25d 0.98g 1.42a 1.09e 1.28c 0.99g 1.35b 1.04f 1.27cd 0.99g

Mean 0.88c 1.83a 0.91c 1.25b 0.84c

1.12d 1.26a 1.13c 1.20b 1.13cd

LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 0.9221, W 0.2916, P 0.2662, P*V 0.3764 LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 0.0606, W 0.0192, P 0.0175, P*V 0.0247

SO

D

(IU

min

-1 m

g-1

pro

tein

)

Control 13.69v.x 9.36x 22.24q.t 26.54n.q 17.32t.v 10.73wx 19.34r.u 18.66r.v 15.14u.w 8.85x 16.18f 16.78x.A 10.85zA 35.66o.A 38.06o.y 20.54u.A 12.85y.A 26.28s.A 24.74t.A 19.04w.A 10.18A 21.49d

{H} 40.14i 18.29s.v 57.99fg 50.33h 30.21l.o 22.35q.t 46.11h 35.41i.k 23.41p.s 14.79u.w 33.90d 58.12g.o 23.51t.A 94.62b.e 86.89b.f 41.25n.x 27.83r.A 68.93f.m 50.82k.s 28.67r.A 17.51x.A 49.81b

{T+H} 15.97uv 15.81u.w 37.19ij 49.85h 16.81uv 30.72k.o 35.32i.l 36.73ij 30.02m.o 17.48t.v 28.59e 17.52x.A 17.48x.A 46.65k.t 69.47e.l 18.50w.A 36.51o.y 43.51m.w 47.30k.t 35.94o.z 19.53v.A 35.24c

{CRI+H } 38.31ij 28.35n.p 106.64a 80.00d 61.68f 30.77k.o 85.39c 47.04h 28.46n.p 25.69o.q 53.23a 44.89l.v 31.96p.A 130.81a 104.93bc 77.25d.j 38.80o.x 105.91a.c 56.99h.p 31.35q.A 45.56k.u 66.84a

{CRI+B} 26.17n.q 31.05k.n 99.26b 57.68fg 27.04n.q 23.74p.r 61.26fg 40.38i 46.63h 24.78pq 43.79b 28.74r.A 37.07o.y 110.59ab 79.29d.i 30.22r.A 31.43q.A 82.59c.g 51.86jk.r 56.16i.q 28.57r.A 53.65b

{T+B} 36.66ij 17.58t.v 67.06e 34.13j.m 50.36h 23.40p.s 56.47g 28.47n.p 58.04fg 16.71uv 38.88c 70.76e.k 19.78v.A 101.33b.d 42.20n.x 66.67g.n 27.18r.A 81.91c.h 34.20o.A 101.28b.d 18.63w.A 56.39b

Mean 28.48d 20.07f 65.06a 49.75b 33.90c 23.61e 50.64b 34.44c 33.61c 18.05f 39.46cd 23.44e 86.60a 70.14b 42.40c 29.10de 68.18b 44.31c 45.40c 23.33e

Mean 24.28e 57.41a 28.76c 42.54b 25.83d 31.45c 78.37a 35.75c 56.25b 34.36c

LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 5.1953, W 1.6429, P 1.4998, P*V 2.1210 LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 25.483, W 8.0583, P 7.3562, P*V 10.403

PO

D

(mm

ol

min

-1 m

g

pro

tein

-1)

Control 5.19AB 4.57B 7.95yz 6.79zA 5.72AB 4.50B 5.96AB 4.85AB 4.98AB 5.29AB 5.58f 6.54z.B 4.02D 9.13u.x 6.08A.C 7.03y.A 3.96D 7.23x.A 4.24CD 6.35z.B 4.74B.D 5.93f

{H} 12.21uv 9.13xy 13.13tu 9.86w.y 10.76v.x 8.75y 11.17vw 9.39w.y 9.71w.y 8.36yz 10.25e 11.49st 8.54u.y 12.39rs 9.24u.w 10.08t.v 8.16v.z 10.43tu 8.79u.y 9.06u.x 7.79w.A 9.60e

{T+H} 14.78q.t 13.71r.u 17.37n.p 14.64r.t 15.01q.t 13.62s.u 15.63p.r 14.22r.t 15.23q.s 13.87r.u 14.81d 20.67j.l 14.15p.r 26.39f 18.59mn 18.21mn 13.71p.r 23.01hi 16.73no 19.24lm 14.00pqr 18.47c

{CRI+H } 35.18c 28.99e 43.29a 32.55d 35.54c 29.64e 40.07b 29.94e 35.26c 29.54e 34.00a 37.44c 29.20e 45.56a 32.78d 37.79c 29.86e 42.33b 30.15e 37.51c 29.75e 35.24a

{CRI+B} 20.65j.l 14.13r.u 26.36f 18.57m.o 18.19m.o 13.69r.u 22.98hi 16.71o.q 19.21l.n 13.98r.u 18.45c 14.28p.r 13.25p.s 16.86no 14.17p.r 14.50pq 13.17q.s 15.12op 13.75p.r 14.73pq 13.41p.s 14.33d

{T+B} 19.14l.n 18.30m.o 26.06fg 21.54i.k 24.05h 19.33lm 22.37h.j 19.65k.m 24.12gh 18.61m.o 21.32b 18.87lm 18.04mn 25.71fg 21.24i.k 23.71h 19.05lm 22.04h.j 19.36k.m 23.79gh 18.33mn 21.01b

Mean 17.86cd 14.81f 22.36a 17.33d 18.21c 14.92f 19.70b 15.79e 18.09cd 14.94f 18.22c 14.53f 22.67a 17.02d 18.55c 14.65f 20.03b 15.50e 18.45c 14.67f

Mean 16.33c 19.84a 16.57c 17.75b 16.51c 16.37c 19.84a 16.60c 17.77b 16.56c

LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 1.9372, W 0.6126, P 0.5592, P*V 0.7909 LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 1.9372, W 0.6126, P 0.5592, P*V 0.7909

132

Table 4.2. Influence of different seed priming agents on catalase (CAT), ascorbic Acid (AsA), total phenolic contents (TPC) of wheat cultivars under applied water stress condition during 2013-2104 (Year-I), 2014-2015 (Year-II).

Means not sharing the same letters differ significantly at 5% probability level. {crown root initiation (CRI), tillering (T), booting (B), heading (H) stages}

Year-I

Year-II

CA

T

(μ m

ol

min

-1 m

g p

rote

in-

1)

Hydro-priming MLE30-priming KCl (osmopriming) BAP-priming On farm priming Hydro-priming MLE30-priming KCl (osmopriming) BAP-priming On farm priming

AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 AARI-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

Control 6.06A.C 4.94BC 8.63yz 6.72AB 6.71AB 4.77C 7.11zA 5.72A.C 5.92A.C 4.85BC 6.14f 8.06E.G 5.98G 11.49A.C 7.90E.G 8.63D.F 6.00G 9.79C.E 6.86fG 7.23FG 5.98G 7.79e

{H} 12.13vw 9.80xy 14.92q.s 10.52w.y 12.89t.v 9.06y 14.43r.u 10.12xy 11.35v.x 9.01yz 11.42e 14.10w.y 11.43A.C 16.97s.u 12.23y.B 14.75v.x 10.67B.D 16.45t.v 11.79z.C 13.16x.A 10.58B.D 13.21d

{T+H} 17.23l.p 14.70r.t 20.09jk 16.02o.r 17.28l.p 14.86q.s 17.36l.p 15.47p.r 16.68n.q 14.29r.u 16.40d 21.56k.m 13.95w.z 26.50g 17.13r.u 17.62q.u 13.83w.z 24.65g.i 15.77u.w 20.47m.o 14.18w.y 18.57c

{CRI+H } 34.13b 24.80e.g 39.39a 30.66c 31.92c 24.85e.g 30.63c 26.91d 30.79c 25.48d.f 29.96a 34.33bc 28.81f 36.75a 35.05a.c 21.66j.m 28.96ef 35.69ab 31.02de 33.03cd 29.53ef 31.48a

{CRI+B} 19.92jk 12.78uv 24.55e.h 15.84o.r 16.17o.r 12.70uv 22.81hi 14.52r.u 18.90kl 13.03s.v 17.12c 19.76m.q 17.04r.u 22.74i.l 18.46o.t 19.85m.p 17.18r.u 19.99m.p 17.87p.u 19.23n.r 16.62s.v 18.87c

{T+B} 18.64k.m 16.00o.r 26.08de 19.09kl 23.21gh 17.58l.o 24.14f.h 18.38k.n 21.20ij 16.93m.p 20.13b 18.72o.s 17.46r.u 25.62gh 21.00l.n 23.82h.j 18.65o.t 23.39i.k 20.00m.p 22.69i.l 18.23p.t 20.96b

Mean 18.02c 13.84f 22.28a 16.48d 18.03c 13.97f 19.42b 15.19e 17.47c 13.93f 19.42c 15.78e 23.34a 18.63c 17.72d 15.88e 21.66b 17.22d 19.30c 15.85e

Mean 15.93c 19.3a 16.00c 17.30b 15.70c 17.60c 20.99a 16.80d 19.44b 17.58c

LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 1.9036, W 0.6020, P 0.5495, P*V 0.7771 LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 2.2079, W 0.6982, P 0.6374, P*V 0.9014

AsA

(m

. m

ole

g-1

)

Control 54.40u 76.97m.p 61.78s 78.34m.o 54.61u 76.83n.p 59.45st 77.61m.o 57.50tu 77.69m.o 67.52e 71.12wx 93.69f.i 78.50q 95.05fg 71.33v.x 93.55f.i 76.17r 94.33fg 74.21rst 94.41fg 84.24e

{H} 89.45c.f 84.21i.k 92.28bc 86.33f.i 90.38b.e 83.81i.k 87.59e.h 80.16lm 86.45f.i 79.95l.n 86.06c 97.38de 92.14h.j 100.21bc 94.26fg 98.31cd 91.74ij 95.52ef 88.10kl 94.38fg 87.88lm 93.99b

{T+H} 92.45bc 76.76n.p 93.00b 92.54bc 92.59bc 84.35h.k 92.38bc 91.19b.d 90.19b.e 70.95qr 87.64b 93.31g.i 93.81f.i 93.52f.i 93.67f.i 93.52f.i 93.52f.i 71.88u.w 93.45f.i 72.02u.w 94.60fg 89.33c

{CRI+H } 97.47a 98.73a 98.167 a 99.88a 97.38a 98.78a 97.45a 98.83a 96.90a 97.25a 98.08a 101.17b 98.81cd 106.52 a 101.02b 100.95b 98.60cd 101.02b 98.67cd 101.02b 98.67cd 100.65a

{CRI+B} 76.33op 68.69r 81.76kl 76.09op 74.09pq 68.90r 76.47op 75.73op 74.30p 70.14r 74.25d 75.48rs 67.83 y 80.90p 75.24r.t 73.24t.v 68.05y 75.61r 74.88rst 73.45s.u 69.29xy 73.40f

{T+B} 92.09bc 83.83i.jk 92.61bc 84.09i.k 91.97bc 82.76j.l 88.07d.g 82.02kl 85.69g.j 80.04l.n 86.32c 94.17f.h 85.91mn 94.69fg 86.17l.n 94.05f.h 84.83n 90.14jk 84.10no 87.76lm 82.12op 88.39d

Mean 83.70bc 81.53d 86.60a 86.21a 83.50bc 82.57cd 83.57bc 84.26b 81.84d 79.34e 88.77c 88.69c 92.39a 90.90b 88.56cd 88.38cd 85.05e 88.92c 83.80f 87.82d

Mean 82.61c 86.40a 83.04bc 83.91b 80.59d 88.73b 91.64a 88.47b 86.99c 85.81d

LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 3.3033, W 1.0446, P 0.9536, P*V 1.3486 LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 2.0813, W 0.6582, P 0.6008, P*V 0.8497

TP

C

(mg

g-1

)

Control 2.38uv 1.87xy 2.70st 2.19vw 1.49zA 0.98C 2.59s.u 2.08wx 2.07wx 1.56zA 1.99d 0.64 0.14 0.96 0.80 0.78 0.48 0.85 0.35 0.33 0.46st 0.58d

{H} 1.35AB 0.78CD 3.82h.k 3.26mn 2.03wx 1.47zA 3.29mn 2.73r.t 1.24B 0.68D 2.07c 0.50 0.31 2.98 2.42 1.19 0.63 2.45 1.89 0.40 0.61q.t 1.34c

{T+H} 3.26mn 2.78q.s 3.47lm 3.00o.q 3.15n.p 2.68st 4.36f 3.89hi 3.94gh 3.47lm 3.40b 1.84 1.24 3.49 2.47 2.00 1.94 3.31 2.71 1.89 1.29n.q 2.22b

{CRI+H } 3.63j.l 3.03op 5.26a 4.66de 3.78h.k 3.19no 5.10ab 4.50ef 3.68i.l 3.08n.p 3.99a 3.05 2.94 3.56 3.08 2.94 2.47 3.73 3.38 3.38 3.26e.i 3.18a

{CRI+B} 4.45ef 2.94p.r 4.58de 4.57d.f 3.61kl 2.10w 3.19no 1.68yz 4.14g 2.63st 3.39b 3.50 3.05 4.56 4.29 3.71 2.21 3.29 1.78 4.24 2.73.k 3.34a

{T+B} 4.75cd 3.68i.l 4.66de 4.94bc 4.63de 3.89hi 2.54tu 1.47zA 4.91bc 3.84h.j 3.93a 3.45 3.21 4.08 2.95 3.78 3.42 2.07 1.77 4.08 3.33 3.21a

Mean 3.30d 2.52g 4.08a 3.77b 3.11e 2.38h 3.51c 2.73f 3.33d 2.54g 2.16de 1.81f 3.27a 2.67b 2.40b.d 1.86f 2.62bc 1.98ef 2.39cd 1.95ef

Mean 2.91c 3.92a 2.75d 3.12b 2.94c 1.99c 2.97a 2.13bc 2.30b 2.17bc

LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 0.2138, W 0.0676, P 0.0617, P*V 0.0873 LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 0.6888, W 0.2178, P 0.1988, P*V 0.2812

133

Table 4.3. Influence of different seed priming agents on chlorophyll “a & b”” (mg g-1), K+ contents (mg g-1) of wheat cultivars under applied water stress condition during 2013-2104 (Year-I), 2014-2015 (Year-II).

Means not sharing the same letters differ significantly at 5% probability level. {crown root initiation (CRI), tillering (T), booting (B), heading (H) stages}

Year-I

Year-II

Ch

loro

ph

yll

“a

”

(m

g g

-1)

Hydro-priming MLE30-priming KCl (osmopriming) BAP-priming On farm priming

Hydro-priming MLE30-priming KCl (osmopriming) BAP-priming On farm priming

AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

Control 1.16i 1.07n 2.13a 2.04b 2.00c 1.91d 1.45e 1.36f 0.70m 0.61r 1.44a 2.13b.d 1.98e 2.16bc 1.60lm 1.57l.n 1.42q 2.19b 2.04de 1.75g.i 1.60lm 1.84a

{H} 1.01q 0.95v 1.25g 1.18h 1.05p 0.98t 1.12k 1.05p 0.90z 0.83g 1.03b 1.63k.m 1.44pq 2.34a 1.55l.o 1.72h.k 1.53m.p 1.20t.w 1.01yz 1.97e 1.78f.h 1.61b

{T+H} 0.55t 0.45w 0.99r 0.89b 0.94x 0.84f 0.83g 0.73k 0.88c 0.79i 0.79d 1.12wx 0.93zA 1.84fg 1.64j.l 1.73h.j 1.54m.p 1.46o.q 1.27s.u 1.65i.l 1.46o.q 1.46d

{CRI+H } 0.90A 0.85e 1.15j 1.10l 0.78j 0.73k 0.99r 0.94w 0.96u 0.91y 0.93c 2.06c.e 1.18u.w 2.15bc 1.60lm 2.07c.e 1.05xy 2.19b 1.41q 0.91zA 0.73B 1.53c

{CRI+B} 0.71l 0.65o 1.12k 1.05o 0.60s 0.54u 0.69n 0.62p 0.51v 0.45x 0.69f 1.20t.w 1.07xy 2.00e 1.86f 1.13v.x 1.00yz 1.25tu 1.12v.x 0.85A 0.72B 1.22e

{T+B} 0.94w 0.79h 1.07m 0.99s 0.89c 0.85d 0.70m 0.61q 0.42y 0.33z 0.76e 1.37q.s 1.30r.t 1.30r.t 1.22t.v 0.63BC 0.56C 1.47n.q 1.39qr 1.53m.p 1.46o.q 1.22e

Mean 0.88g 0.79h 1.28a 1.21b 1.04c 0.98d 0.96e 0.89f 0.73i 0.65j 1.58c 1.31f 1.96a 1.58c 1.47d 1.18g 1.63b 1.37e 1.44d 1.29f

Mean 0.84d 1.25a 1.01b 0.92c 0.69e 1.45c 1.77a 1.33e 1.50b 1.36d

LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 0.1019, W 0.04489 P 0.0381, P*V 0.0338 LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 0.1006, W 0.0318, P 0.0290, P*V 0.0411

Ch

loro

ph

yll

“b”

(m

g g

-1)

Control 0.42hi 0.33no 0.75a 0.66b 0.57d 0.48e 0.75a 0.66b 0.21xy 0.12D 0.50a 0.45f 0.36j 0.79a 0.70b 0.61c 0.52d 0.78a 0.69b 0.24rs 0.15z 0.53a

{H} 0.33no 0.26s.u 0.59c 0.40j 0.43gh 0.36lm 0.45f 0.38k 0.40j 0.33n 0.39b 0.36j 0.29op 0.62c 0.43g 0.46f 0.39i 0.48e 0.41h 0.43g 0.36j 0.42b

{T+H} 0.21y 0.11D 0.32o 0.22x 0.30p 0.20yz 0.24w 0.15C 0.29pq 0.19zA 0.22e 0.23tu 0.13A 0.34l 0.24rs 0.32m 0.22uv 0.27q 0.17y 0.31mn 0.21v 0.24e

{CRI+H } 0.30p 0.25u.w 0.37k 0.33no 0.25vw 0.20yz 0.32no 0.27rs 0.30p 0.25vw 0.28d 0.28p 0.24st 0.36j 0.31mn 0.23s.u 0.19wx 0.31n 0.26q 0.28p 0.23s.u 0.27d

{CRI+B} 0.25u.w 0.19A 0.44fg 0.37kl 0.27rst 0.21y 0.19A 0.12D 0.14C 0.07E 0.22e 0.24st 0.17y 0.43g 0.36j 0.26q 0.20w 0.18xy 0.11B 0.13A 0.06C 0.21f

{T+B} 0.41ij 0.32o 0.48e 0.37k.m 0.36m 0.27r.t 0.26t.v 0.17B 0.37k.m 0.28qr 0.33c 0.39i 0.30no 0.46f 0.35j.l 0.34kl 0.25qr 0.24rs 0.16z 0.35jk 0.26q 0.31c

Mean 0.32d 0.24g 0.49a 0.39b 0.36c 0.29ef 0.37c 0.29e 0.28f 0.21h 0.33d 0.25g 0.50a 0.40b 0.37c 0.29ef 0.37c 0.30e 0.29f 0.21h

Mean 0.28d 0.44a 0.33c 0.33b 0.25e 0.29d 0.45a 0.33c 0.34b 0.25e

LSD 0.05p= W*P*V0.0126, W0.12001 P 0.1290, P*V 0.0974 LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 0.0126, W0.1215, P0.12380, P*V0.10231

K+ c

on

ten

ts

(m

g g

-1)

Control 1.54de 1.34g.i 1.74b 1.94a 1.67bc 1.24i.l 1.57cd 1.44e.g 1.37f.h 1.14l 1.50a 1.29i 1.48f 1.89a 1.81b 1.19k 1.61d 1.39h 1.51e 1.69c 1.68c 1.55a

{H} 0.64s.v 0.81o.q 0.93mn 0.92m.o 0.83n.q 0.72q.s 0.92m.o 0.86n.p 0.62s.w 0.75p.r 0.80c 0.57wx 0.73s 0.86o 0.86o 0.65u 0.63v 0.76qr 0.83p 0.55x 0.76r 0.72c

{T+H} 0.67r.t 0.58t.x 0.77p.r 0.86n.p 0.57t.y 0.62s.w 0.72q.s 0.66r.u 0.52w.A 0.55u.z 0.65d 0.44A 0.49z 0.69t 0.79q 0.49z 0.59w 0.64uv 0.47z 0.59w 0.57w 0.57d

{CRI+H } 1.23j.l 1.34g.j 1.52de 1.15kl 1.26h.k 1.45e.g 1.46d.f 1.48de 1.00m 1.30h.j 1.32b 1.08m 1.14l 1.67c 1.47f 0.98n 1.44g 1.17k 1.37h 1.47f 1.24j 1.30b

{CRI+B} 0.30C.F 0.36B.E 0.41A.C 0.52v.A 0.27D.F 0.35B.E 0.38B.D 0.34B.F 0.23F.H 0.10I 0.33e 0.42A 0.30F 0.52Y 0.40B 0.32E 0.20I 0.30F 0.37C 0.10K 0.27G 0.32e

{T+B} 0.50x.A 0.26E.G 0.59t.x 0.46y.B 0.44z.B 0.33C.F 0.34B.F 0.36B.E 0.14G.I 0.13HI 0.35e 0.40B 0.04i 0.49z 0.37C 0.34D 0.27G 0.24H 0.24H 0.05i 0.17J 0.26f

Mean 0.81cd 0.78d 0.99a 0.97a 0.84c 0.78d 0.90b 0.86bc 0.65e 0.66e 0.70g 0.69g 1.02a 0.95b 0.66h 0.79d 0.75e 0.80c 0.74f 0.78d

Mean 0.80c 0.98a 0.81c 0.88b 0.65d 0.70e 0.98a 0.72d 0.77b 0.76c

LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 0.1132, W 0.0358, P 0.0327, P*V 0.0462 LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 0.0216, W 0.0447, P 0.0679, P*V 0.0321

134

Table 4.4 Influence of different seed priming agents on fertile tillers, grain-Spike, 1000 grain weight of wheat cultivars under applied water stress condition during 2013-2104 (Year-I), 2014-2015 (Year-II).

Means not sharing the same letters differ significantly at 5% probability level. {crown root initiation (CRI), tillering (T), booting (B), heading (H) stages}

Year-I

Year-II

Fer

tile

til

lers

(m-2

)

Hydro-priming MLE30-priming KCl (osmopriming) BAP-priming On farm priming

Hydro-priming MLE30-priming KCl (osmopriming) BAP-priming On farm priming

AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

Control 404c.e 396d.k 426a 414a.c 388h.r 395d.l 418ab 401d.g 406b.d 392e.o 404a 341c.f 311i.k 363a 329fg 325gh 310i.k 355ab 316hi 343b.e 307i.k 330b

{H} 395d.l 389g.q 399d.i 402c.f 395d.l 393e.n 397d.j 396d.k 382m.u 392e.o 394b 350bc 354ab 363a 337d.g 351a.c 329fg 355ab 333e.g 347b.d 331e.g 345a

{T+H} 383l.u 397d.j 396d.k 380v 384k.t 372t.x 388h.r 376r.x 380o.v 374s.x 383d 245n 210p.r 258m 226o 253mn 201q.u 256mn 212pq 246mn 206p.t 231d

{CRI+H } 389g.q 378q.w 402cdef 394d.m 397d.j 369v.x 400d.h 380o.v 390f.q 374s.x 387c 303jk 300kl 307i.k 313h.j 303jk 304i.k 305i.k 307i.k 290l 303jk 303c

{CRI+B} 386j.s 364x 393e.n 372t.x 385j.s 349y 369v.x 371.x 386j.s 366wx 374e 182vw 197s.u 189u.w 205p.t 181w 182vw 165x 204p.t 182vw 199r.u 188f

{T+B} 387i.r 381n.v 396d.k 378q.w 386j.s 364x 391f.p 374s.x 379p.v 380o.v 381d 205p.t 201q.u 214op 198r.u 204p.t 184vw 209p.s 194t.v 197s.u 200q.u 200e

Mean 390.67bc 384.17d.f 402.00a 390.00bc 389.17b.d 373.67g 393.83b 383.00ef 387.17c.e 379.67f 271bc 262.17d 282.33a 268c 269.50bc 251.67e 274.17b 261d 267.50c 257.67d

Mean 387.42b 396.00a 381.42c 388.42b 383.42c 266.58b 275.17a 260.58c 267.58b 262.58c

LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 12.862 , W 4.0674, P 3.7130, P*V 5.2510 LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 12.714 , W 4.2134, P 3.5040, P*V 5.3501

Gra

in-S

pik

e

Control 58a.c 46j.n 60a 48h.m 55a.f 43m.q 58a.c 45k.p 54b.g 42n.r 51a 47ab 44a.d 49a 46a.c 44a.d 41c.e 47ab 43b.d 43b.d 40d.f 44a

{H} 53c.h 40o.s 57a.d 45k.o 56a.e 39q.u 56a.e 39q.u 54d.g 38r.v 48b 39d.g 35f.i 43b.d 40d.f 42cd 34g.j 42b.d 34h.j 40d.f 33h.k 38b

{T+H} 52e.i 36s.w 56a.e 37r.v 52e.i 35s.x 57a.e 35s.x 50f.k 33v.y 44cd 27l.p 27l.p 27l.p 26m.q 23p.r 25o.q 22p.s 19r.t 25n.q 25o.q 24d

{CRI+H } 49.33g.l 39p.t 55b.f 42n.r 52d.i 39q.u 51e.j 35t.x 54b.g 38q.u 45c 28k.p 35f.i 32h.l 36e.h 28k.p 34g.j 33h.k 34g.j 26m.q 32h.l 31c

{CRI+B} 54b.g 33v.y 59ab 36s.w 56a.e 28y 44l.q 34u.x 53d.i 30xy 42d 24o.r 18s.u 29j.o 21q.s 26m.q 13u 14tu 19r.t 23p.s 15tu 20e

{T+B} 53d.i 35s.w 55a.f 37r.v 52e.i 30w.y 52e.i 36s.w 48i.m 35s.w 43d 35f.i 34g.j 33h.j 31h.m 31h.n 25n.q 31h.n 31h.n 27l.p 30i.n 31c

Mean 53b 38d 57a 41c 54b 36e 53b 37de 52b 36e 33ab 32bc 35a 33b 32bc 29e 31b.d 30de 31c.e 29e

Mean 46b 49a 45bc 45bc 44c 33b 34a 30c 31c 30c

LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 5.4236, W 1.7151, P 1.5657, P*V 2.2142 LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 5.4891, W 1.7358, P 1.5846, P*V 2.2409

10

00

Gra

in

Wei

gh

t

(g)

Control 37.61bc 32.39e.g 42.88a 39.36b 32.38e.g 30.56g.j 37.38bc 36.69cd 30.51g.j 28.09k.o 34.79a 41.95bc 36.39e.i 48.88a 43.36b 38.38ef 34.56h.k 42.05bc 40.69cd 36.51e.h 32.09l.o 39.49a

{H} 33.01ef 30.21g.k 36.91c 33.21ef 26.21o.s 25.51q.u 34.57de 31.31fghi 24.81r.v 25.51q.u 30.12b 34.63h.k 30.72o.s 35.73g.j 30.92o.q 34.33h.k 29.02p.t 33.63j.m 29.02p.t 34.23i.l 29.52p.t 32.17c

{T+H} 28.62j.n 22.75v.y 31.95f.h 29.48i.m 25.92o.t 21.25yz 26.62n.r 23.71t.x 25.72p.u 23.55u.x 25.95c 30.62o.s 24.25v.y 33.95j.m 30.98o.q 27.92tu 22.75xy 28.62r.t 25.21vw 27.72tu 25.05vw 27.70d

{CRI+H } 28.93j.m 25.27q.u 30.03h.l 25.47q.u 28.63j.n 23.57u.x 27.93l.p 23.57u.x 28.53j.n 24.07s.w 26.60c 37.01e.g 33.21k.n 40.91c 36.21f.i 30.21o.s 28.51st 38.57de 34.31h.k 28.81q.t 28.51st 33.62b

{CRI+B} 21.17yz 20.97yz 22.47w.y 21.67x.z 20.17z 20.77yz 20.17z 20.77yz 21.07yz 20.57yz 20.98e 24.47v.y 23.96v.y 25.77uv 24.66v.x 23.47w.y 23.76v.y 23.47w.y 23.76v.y 24.37v.y 23.56v.y 24.12f

{T+B} 26.25o.s 20.23z 27.35m.q 21.13yz 25.95o.s 20.03z 26.65n.r 21.83x.z 24.65r.w 21.23yz 23.53d 30.75o.r 22.53xy 31.85m.o 23.43w.y 30.45o.s 22.33y 31.15n.p 24.13v.y 29.15p.t 23.53w.y 26.93e

Mean 29.26b 25.30d 31.93a 28.38b 26.54c 23.61e 28.88b 26.31c 25.88cd 23.83e 33.23b 28.51f 36.18a 31.59c 30.79cd 26.82g 32.91b 29.52e 30.13de 27.04g

Mean 27.28b 30.16a 25.08c 27.60b 24.86c 30.87b 33.88a 28.80c 31.21b 28.58c

LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 2.2319, W 0.7058, P 0.6443, P*V 0.9112 LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 2.2113, W 0.6993, P 0.6383, P*V 0.9028

135

Table 4.5. Influence of different seed priming agents on grain yield, biological yield, harvest index of wheat cultivars under applied water stress condition during 2013-2104 (Year-I), 2014-2015 (Year-II).

Means not sharing the same letters differ significantly at 5% probability level. {crown root initiation (CRI), tillering (T), booting (B), heading (H) stages}

Year-I

Year-II

Gra

in y

ield

(t/h

a)

Hydro-priming MLE30-priming KCl (osmopriming) BAP-priming On farm priming

Hydro-priming MLE30-priming KCl (osmopriming) BAP-priming On farm priming

AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

Control 5.67a.c 4.27i.m 5.93a 4.87d.i 5.22b.f 3.85m.o 5.70a.c 3.86l.n 5.14c.g 2.87q.t 4.74a 5.85ab 3.51m.r 6.14a 4.35g.k 5.06d.f 3.25n.t 6.02ab 3.84j.m 5.73a.c 2.03C.F 4.58a

{H} 5.04d.h 2.21u.x 5.74ab 4.13k.n 5.36a.e 2.71q.u 5.38a.d 3.25o.q 4.45h.l 2.30t.w 4.06b 4.37g.j 2.62v.b 5.04d.f 3.12p.v 4.30g.k 2.48x.E 4.79e.g 2.86s.z 4.45g.i 2.52w.D 3.65c

{T+H} 3.85mn 1.35B.E 4.77e.j 1.96w.A 3.17p.r 1.37A.E 4.42i.m 1.50z.D 3.96l.n 1.33B.E 2.77d 3.49m.r 1.98D.F 4.21h.l 2.54w.C 3.07q.w 1.99D.F 3.66l.p 2.41y.E 2.85t.z 2.07B.F 2.83e

{CRI+H } 4.60g.k 2.01w.z 5.13c.g 3.21p.r 4.25j.m 1.55y.c 4.66f.k 2.73q.u 3.88l.n 1.57y.c 3.36c 4.80e.g 3.02q.x 5.49b.d 3.81k.m 5.03d.f 3.01r.x 5.29c.e 3.40m.s 4.72f.h 2.35z.E 4.09b

{CRI+B} 2.39s.w 1.65x.b 3.55n.p 2.33s.w 2.91q.s 1.32b.e 3.25pq 1.96w.a 2.64r.v 1.08b.e 2.31e 2.43y.E 1.58F.H 2.82t.z 2.15A.E 2.60v.B 1.40GH 2.68u.A 1.95E.G 2.38z.E 1.35H 2.13f

{T+B} 2.46s.w 0.77E 3.62n.p 2.10v.y 2.53s.w 0.92DE 2.89q.t 1.43z.D 2.02w.z 1.00C.E 1.97f 3.74l.n 2.94s.y 4.35g.k 3.31m.t 3.57m.q 2.82t.z 4.16i.l 3.18o.u 3.69l.o 2.65u.A 3.44d

Mean 4.00c 2.04g 4.79a 3.10e 3.91cd 1.95g 4.38b 2.45f 3.68d 1.69h 4.11c 2.61f 4.67a 3.21d 3.94c 2.49f 4.43b 2.94e 3.97c 2.16g

Mean 3.02c 3.95a 2.93c 3.42b 2.69d 3.36c 3.94a 3.21cd 3.69b 3.06d

LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 0.5994, W 0.1895, P 0.1730, P*V 0.2447 LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 0.5512, W 0.1743, P 0.1591, P*V 0.2250

Bio

log

ica

l Y

ield

(t/h

a)

Control 13.07b.h 10.68j.r 16.01a 12.52c.i 13.90b.d 10.37m.u 13.28b.f 10.58l.s 13.06b.h 10.53l.t 12.40a 15.19bc 12.38e.g 16.91a 14.24cd 14.48cd 11.36g.j 16.03ab 13.40d.f 13.69de 11.89gh 13.96a

{H} 11.46g.o 10.99i.q 13.52b.e 13.12b.g 11.26i.p 11.37h.p 12.32d.j 12.44c.i 11.14i.p 10.90i.q 11.85b 12.53e.g 10.26i.n 14.85b.d 11.63g.i 12.05fg 9.14l.u 13.73de 10.33i.m 11.23g.k 9.44l.t 11.52b

{T+H} 10.95i.q 7.30yz 12.20d.l 10.03o.w 9.18r.x 7.05z 10.72j.r 8.46w.z 9.06r.x 7.50x.z 9.24e 9.65l.q 9.16l.u 11.34g.j 10.58h.l 9.65l.q 8.27q.y 10.37i.m 9.85k.p 9.05m.v 8.26q.y 9.62c

{CRI+H } 11.71f.o 10.90i.q 14.37ab 12.34d.j 12.57c.i 9.75p.w 14.09bc 11.85e.n 12.30d.k 8.62v.z 11.85b 10.37i.m 8.83n.w 12.53e.g 11.48g.i 9.92j.o 6.86yza 11.44g.i 9.30l.u 9.45l.t 8.14r.z 9.83c

{CRI+B} 9.34q.w 8.95s.y 12.47c.i 11.30i.p 8.76u.y 10.28n.v 11.44g.p 10.52l.t 10.59k.s 8.84t.y 10.25d 10.21i.n 8.03t.z 11.63g.i 9.00m.v 9.56l.r 7.26x.A 10.41i.m 8.61o.x 8.43p.x 6.74zA 8.99d

{T+B} 10.28m.v 11.17i.p 13.44b.e 13.04b.h 10.16n.w 9.15r.x 11.99e.m 11.55g.o 10.25n.v 10.13o.w 11.12c 7.61v.A 7.89u.z 9.96j.o 9.49l.s 6.80zA 6.70zA 8.76o.w 8.11st.z 6.44A 7.50w.A 7.93e

Mean 11.13c 10.00d 13.67a 12.06b 10.97c 9.66d 12.30b 10.90c 11.06c 9.42d 10.93cd 9.42f 12.87a 11.07c 10.41de 8.26g 11.79b 9.93ef 9.71f 8.66g

Mean 10.57c 12.86a 10.32c 11.60b 10.24c 10.17c 11.97a 9.34d 10.86b 9.19d

LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 1.7081, W 0.5402, P 0.4931, P*V 0.6973 LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 1.4437, W 0.4565, P 0.4168, P*V 0.5894

Ha

rves

t In

dex

(%)

Control 41.97 33.64 43.02 35.03 38.80 32.05 46.10 30.38 38.56 24.20 36.37a 40.78 32.96 50.15 36.31 37.51 31.33 45.24 34.74 42.75 19.29 37.11a

{H} 39.20 22.39 43.47 35.62 40.96 27.96 41.45 31.49 37.42 25.45 34.54a 38.71 23.89 40.52 25.20 36.60 21.89 38.31 24.54 33.15 20.00 30.28c

{T+H} 38.01 14.93 44.37 18.64 32.86 15.58 42.35 15.48 40.04 15.91 27.82c 32.14 25.51 37.27 30.26 33.45 27.47 34.31 29.18 31.62 28.06 30.93c

{CRI+H } 41.70 22.91 43.68 28.86 40.56 22.27 40.73 25.69 37.36 20.01 32.38b 38.21 28.27 41.24 31.05 37.59 28.78 40.16 30.99 39.04 28.60 34.39b

{CRI+B} 25.23 19.73 33.09 26.56 31.12 18.07 32.28 22.95 29.21 16.16 25.44d 23.58 18.18 30.40 19.12 22.69 13.88 26.27 18.63 22.82 15.86 21.14d

{T+B} 31.88 14.08 38.45 22.78 37.45 16.31 32.79 17.74 31.67 17.80 26.10cd 32.45 26.29 36.46 30.94 35.14 25.57 36.38 27.52 34.95 24.52 31.02c

Mean 36.33c 21.28ef 41.01a 27.92d 36.96bc 22.04ef 39.28ab 23.96e 35.71c 19.92f 34.31bc 25.85ef 39.34a 28.81d 33.83c 24.82fg 36.78ab 27.60de 34.05c 22.72g

Mean 28.81c 34.46a 29.50c 31.62b 27.82c 30.08b 34.07a 29.33b 32.19a 28.39b

LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 6.7256, W 2.1268, P 1.9415, P*V 2.7457 LSD 0.05p= W*P*V 6.5754, W 2.0793, P 1.8981, P*V 2.6844

136

CHAPTER 5 Table 5.1. Influence of different foliar agents on total soluble protein (TSP), superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) of wheat cultivars under various applied irrigation water-regimes during 2013-2014 (Year-I) and 2014-2015 (Year-II).

Means not sharing the same letters in a group differ significantly at 5% probability level. {crown root initiation (CRI), tillering (T), booting (B), heading (H) stages}

Year-I Year-II

TS

P

(mg

g-1

)

Foliar application H2O2 MLE KCl BAP

H2O2 MLE30 KCl BAP

Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

Irrig

ati

on

wa

ter-r

eg

imes

Control (CRI+T+B+H) 1.20o.q 0.97w 1.34d.h 1.19o.q 1.25k.n 1.20n.q 1.30g.k 1.10uv 1.19d 1.95d.k 1.70r 2.02c.f 1.87k.n 1.98c.h 1.85l.o 1.97c.j 1.79n.q 1.89bc

CRI+T+B 1.31g.k 1.13r.u 1.35c.g 1.16p.s 1.30g.k 1.09uv 1.27i.l 1.10uv 1.21cd 1.91h.m 1.75p.r 2.02c.e 1.83m.p 1.97c.i 1.76o.r 1.94e.l 1.77o.r 1.87cd

CRI+B 1.27i.l 1.13r.u 1.38cd 1.24l.o 1.36c.f 1.16q.t 1.32f.j 1.10t.v 1.24b 1.80n.q 1.72qr 2.02c.e 1.73qr 1.99c.h 1.88j.n 1.99c.h 1.91h.m 1.88b.d

CRI+H 1.31f.j 1.10uv 1.34d.h 1.20n.q 1.31g.k 1.18p.r 1.30h.k 1.12s.u 1.23bc 1.83m.p 1.58s 2.02c.f 1.87k.n 1.92g.l 1.87k.n 1.98c.h 1.77o.r 1.85d

T+B 1.40bc 1.21m.p 1.63a 1.37c.e 1.30g.k 1.26j.m 1.44b 1.34d.h 1.37a 2.05bc 1.87k.n 2.30a 2.04b.d 1.97c.j 1.93f.l 2.12b 2.01c.g 2.03a

T+H 1.27i.l 1.06v 1.35c.g 1.05v 1.32e.i 1.21m.q 1.31f.j 1.24l.o 1.23bc 1.88i.n 1.75p.r 2.05bc 1.91h.m 2.03b.d 1.83m.p 1.99c.h 1.77o.r 1.90b

Mean 1.29c 1.10f 1.40a 1.20d 1.31bc 1.18de 1.32b 1.17e 1.90c 1.73e 2.07a 1.87cd 1.98b 1.85d 1.99b 1.84d

Mean 1.20c 1.30a 1.24b 1.25b 1.81c 1.97a 1.91b 1.92b

LSD 0.05p= W*F*V 0.0557, W 0.0197, F 0.0161, F*V 0.0227 LSD 0.05p= W*F*V 0.0908, W 0.0321, F 0.0262, F*V 0.0371

SO

D

(IU

min

-1 m

g-1

pro

tein

)

Irrig

ati

on

wa

ter-r

eg

imes

Control (CRI+T+B+H) 55.25h 29.52m 75.34e 66.68f 62.39f 46.96i 62.89f 56.45gh 56.93d 66.25r.t 40.52x 86.34j.l 77.68mn 73.39n.q 57.96uv 73.89n.p 67.45rs 67.93e

CRI+T+B 44.62i 30.56m 74.71e 74.39e 64.18f 56.54gh 67.08f 64.98f 59.63c 69.32p.r 59.15u 86.27j.l 101.55cd 66.82r.t 61.70tu 75.61no 84.82j.l 75.65d

CRI+B 46.32i 36.15kl 63.27f 78.55e 43.82ij 38.70jk 52.61h 61.82fg 52.65e 62.62s.u 48.56w 92.7f.i 92.39g.i 82.18lm 74.54n.p 85.08j.l 82.98k.m 77.63c

CRI+H 42.53ij 31.23lm 86.97d 75.10e 47.11i 30.29m 66.10f 73.87e 56.65d 62.53s.u 51.23w 106.9b 95.10e.g 67.11rs 50.29w 86.10j.l 93.87e.h 76.65cd

T+B 99.75b 52.89h 125.59a 85.10d 94.15c 46.65i 104.34b 74.70e 85.39a 106.75bc 59.89u 132.59a 92.10g.i 101.15d 53.65vw 111.34b 81.70lm 92.39a

T+H 63.90f 44.24i 74.53e 87.17d 64.53f 46.67i 73.81e 64.21f 64.88b 87.90i.k 68.24qr 98.53de 111.17b 88.53h.j 70.67o.r 97.81d.f 88.21i.k 88.88b

Mean 58.72f 37.43h 83.40a 77.832 b 62.69e 44.30g 71.13c 66.00d 75.89f 54.60h 100.57a 95.00b 79.86e 61.47g 88.30c 83.17d

Mean 48.07d 80.61a 53.50c 68.57b 65.24d 97.78a 70.66c 85.73b

LSD 0.05p= W*F*V5.3867, W 1.9045, F 1.5550, F*V 2.1991 LSD 0.05p= W*F*V 5.0811, W 1.86001, F 1.4690, F*V 2.20470

PO

D

(mm

ol

min

-1 m

g

pro

tein

-1)

Irrig

ati

on

wa

ter-r

eg

imes

Control (CRI+T+B+H) 22.65h.k 17.02z.b 27.67b 22.30j.l 24.26fg 21.52l.o 25.55cd 20.25q.s 22.65b 28.26lm 24.25u 31.67de 26.30p.s 26.65n.q 25.52st 29.55h.k 21.02 w 26.65d

CRI+T+B 21.51l.o 18.01w.y 24.51ef 19.84r.t 21.34m.p 17.268y.a 22.91h.j 18.05w.y 20.43d 26.34p.s 23.05v 29.51h.k 24.84tu 26.51o.r 22.26v 27.91lm 23.01v 25.43e

CRI+B 20.06rs 17.44x.a 22.46i.l 20.52p.r 21.18n.q 17.93w.z 20.66o.r 17.82x.z 19.76e 26.32p.s 24.34u 29.36i.k 27.42m.o 27.56mn 24.72tu 28.08lm 24.83tu 26.58d

CRI+H 22.18j.m 18.37v.x 24.11fg 21.58l.o 22.65h.k 19.48s.u 22.92h.j 18.88u.w 21.27c 30.45f.h 26.17q.s 31.91d 29.38i.k 29.98g.i 26.68n.q 30.72e.g 27.28m.p 29.07b

T+B 25.28de 20.69o.r 31.58a 24.23fg 23.52gh 21.69k.n 26.27c 23.41g.i 24.59a 31.52de 29.69h.j 39.58a 32.23d 33.28c 28.69kl 34.27b 31.41d.f 32.59a

T+H 19.05t.v 14.34c 22.41j.l 16.26b 19.93r.t 16.64ab 19.84r.t 17.46x.a 18.24f 28.83j.l 23.24v 31.31d.f 25.16tu 27.95lm 25.54r.t 28.74j.l 26.36p.s 27.14c

Mean 21.79c 17.65f 25.46a 20.79d 22.15c 19.09e 23.03b 19.31e 28.62c 25.12f 32.22a 27.56d 28.65c 25.57e 29.88b 25.65e

Mean 19.72d 19.72d 19.72d 19.72d 26.87c 29.89a 27.11c 27.77b

LSD 0.05p= W*F*V 0.9619, W 0.3401, F 0.2777, F*V 0.3927 LSD 0.05p= W*F*V 0.9875, W 0.3491, F 0.2851, F*V 0.4032

137

Table 5.2. Influence of different foliar agents on catalase (CAT), ascorbic acid (AsA) and total phenolic contents (TPC) of wheat cultivars under various applied irrigation water-regimes during 2013-2014 (Year-I) and 2014-2015 (Year-II).

Means not sharing the same letters in a group differ significantly at 5% probability level. {crown root initiation (CRI), tillering (T), booting (B), heading (H) stages}

Year-I Year-II C

AT

(μ m

ol

min

-1 m

g

pro

tein

-1)

Foliar application H2O2 MLE KCl BAP

H2O2 MLE30 KCl BAP

Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean Ir

rig

ati

on

wa

ter-r

eg

imes

Control (CRI+T+B+H) 8.20u 9.11r.t 10.89q 9.55 8.75s.u 8.91r.u 9.42rs 8.30u 9.14f 16.60lm 9.03w 18.42k 10.31uv 15.18no 8.85wx 16.62lm 9.55vw 13.07d

CRI+T+B 13.60no 8.66tu 14.64m 9.24r.t 13.51no 8.26u 13.70n 8.54tu 11.27e 10.95tu 6.88yz 13.99pq 7.80xy 11.63st 6.15za 12.42rs 5.77a 9.45e

CRI+B 16.80l 14.09mn 20.25h 16.72l 19.28ij 14.57m 18.67jk 14.73m 16.89d 19.15k 12.34rs 22.79hi 14.82n.p 21.79ij 12.78r 21.09j 13.03qr 17.22c

CRI+H 21.61g 17.12l 23.69f 19.92hi 22.05g 18.65jk 22.07g 18.04k 20.39b 24.79ef 13.12qr 26.80d 14.94n.p 25.69e 14.89n.p 25.66e 15.38no 20.16b

T+B 27.17c 21.36g 33.69a 24.81e 26.61cd 21.52g 29.68b 23.88f 26.09a 30.40c 21.05j 37.44a 24.47fg 29.60c 21.20j 33.00b 23.54gh 27.59a

T+H 24.00f 10.98q 25.96d 12.14p 24.87e 12.45p 24.84e 12.87op 18.51c 23.72f.h 14.34op 25.85de 16.88l 24.15fg 15.67mn 24.16fg 15.21no 20.00b

Mean 18.56d 13.55h 21.52a 15.40e 19.18c 14.06g 19.73b 14.39f 20.94c 12.79g 24.21a 14.87d 21.34c 13.26f 22.16b 13.75e

Mean 16.06d 18.46a 16.62c 17.06b 16.86d 19.54a 17.30c 17.95b

LSD 0.05p= W*F*V 0.7493, W 0.2649, F 0.2163, F*V 0.3059 LSD 0.05p= W*F*V 1.0834, W 0.3830, F 0.3128, F*V 0.4423

AsA

(m.

mo

le g

-1)

Irrig

ati

on

wa

ter-r

eg

imes

Control (CRI+T+B+H) 31.56t 34.20s 55.76p 38.96r 31.76t 34.26s 38.26r 38.56r 37.92f 37.36z 40.00y 48.46v 45.66w 39.66y 42.16x 38.80yz 38.53yz 41.33e

CRI+T+B 65.40ij 55.76p 69.46f 57.40n 65.56ij 55.90op 72.26b.d 57.10no 62.35e 71.20m.o 61.56rs 76.16f.h 64.10q 73.46i.k 63.80q 72.80j.m 57.66t 67.59d

CRI+B 71.33c.e 58.70m 71.60b.e 65.20j 71.26de 58.90lm 71.46c.e 60.10l 66.07b 71.56mn 64.70q 79.26cd 69.80o 75.10g.i 70.23no 71.86k.n 63.30qr 70.72b

CRI+H 67.56gh 49.90q 71.60b.e 67.83g 69.70f 50.10q 71.40c.e 66.56hi 64.33d 73.36i.l 55.70u 78.30c.e 74.53h.j 77.60d.f 58.00t 71.93k.n 67.06p 69.56c

T+B 76.33a 70.50ef 77.06a 72.80b 76.26a 71.20de 76.46a 71.16de 73.97a 82.13b 76.30fg 83.76ab 79.50c 84.16a 79.10cd 77.00ef 71.66l.n 79.20a

T+H 65.76ij 58.90lm 72.56bc 63.10k 67.20gh 62.33k 71.33c.e 62.76k 65.49c 77.13ef 64.50q 78.30c.e 71.90k.n 79.16cd 66.80p 72.00k.m 60.66s 71.30b

Mean 62.99d 54.66h 69.67a 60.88e 63.62c 55.45g 66.86b 59.37f 68.79c 60.46f 74.04a 67.58d 71.52b 63.35e 67.40d 59.81f

Mean 58.82d 65.28a 59.53c 63.12b 64.62c 70.81a 67.43b 63.60d

LSD 0.05p= W*F*V 1.2371, W 0.4374, F 0.3571, F*V 0.5050 LSD 0.05p= W*F*V 1.7452, W 0.6170, F 0.5038, F*V 0.7125

TP

C

(mg

g-1

)

Irrig

ati

on

wa

ter-r

eg

imes

Control (CRI+T+B+H) 1.80st 1.29uv 2.91l.n 2.43o.q 1.87rs 1.40u 2.73m.o 2.15qr 2.07d 2.58k.p 1.47qr 3.02h.n 2.32l.q 2.01n.r 1.29r 2.84i.n 2.04n.r 2.20c

CRI+T+B 1.50tu 1.01v 3.30i.k 2.70m.o 1.47tu 0.98v 2.98k.m 2.35pq 2.04d 1.80o.r 1.22r 3.48e.k 2.73j.o 1.65p.r 1.19r 2.78j.o 2.35l.q 2.15c

CRI+B 3.30i.k 2.56op 4.07de 3.67fg 3.43g.i 2.98k.m 3.79ef 3.31h.k 3.39c 3.12h.l 3.55d.k 4.29c.g 3.83d.i 3.10h.m 3.97c.h 3.32f.l 4.30b.f 3.68b

CRI+H 4.40cd 3.64f.h 4.45bc 3.61f.i 3.63f.i 2.57n.p 3.36g.j 3.47f.i 3.64b 3.66d.j 3.10h.m 4.54a.d 3.65d.j 3.13h.l 2.41l.q 3.45e.k 3.51d.k 3.43b

T+B 3.61f.i 3.03j.m 4.89a 4.42c 3.68fg 3.08j.l 4.80a 4.22cd 3.97a 4.27c.g 3.26g.l 5.46a 3.84d.i 4.34b.f 3.31f.l 5.33ab 4.45a.e 4.28a

T+H 4.43c 2.91l.n 4.78ab 3.44g.i 3.47f.i 1.96rs 4.84a 3.31h.k 3.64b 3.71d.j 3.04h.n 4.89 a.c 2.87i.n 3.58d.k 2.09m.r 4.95a.c 2.97h.n 3.51b

Mean 3.17d 2.41f 4.06a 3.38c 2.93e 2.16g 3.75b 3.14d 3.19c 2.61de 4.28a 3.21c 2.97cd 2.38e 3.78b 3.27c

Mean 2.79c 3.72a 2.54d 3.44b 2.90b 3.74a 2.67b 3.53a

LSD 0.05p= W*F*V 0.3364, W 0.1189, F 0.0971, F*V 0.1373 LSD 0.05p= W*F*V 1.0308, W 0.3644, F 0.2976, F*V 0.4208

138

Table 5.3. Influence of different foliar agents on chlorophyll “a & b” and K+ contents of wheat cultivars under various applied irrigation water-regimes during 2013-2014 (Year-I) and 2014-2015 (Year-II).

Means not sharing the same letters in a group differ significantly at 5% probability level. {crown root initiation (CRI), tillering (T), booting (B), heading (H) stages}

Year-I Year-II

Ch

loro

ph

yll

“a

”

(m

g g

-1)

Foliar application H2O2 MLE KCl BAP

H2O2 MLE30 KCl BAP

Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean Ir

rig

ati

on

wa

ter-r

eg

imes

Control (CRI+T+B+H) 1.07m.q 0.85q.s 2.53a 2.15cd 2.20b.d 0.80q.s 2.33a.c 1.07m.q 1.62a 2.53a.c 1.13n.r 2.63ab 2.03de 1.76e.h 1.73e.i 2.27cd 1.66g.j 1.97a

CRI+T+B 1.07m.q 0.83q.s 1.57g.k 1.91d.f 2.13cd 0.89q.s 2.12cd 0.87q.s 1.42bc 1.57g.l 0.95q.t 1.68f.j 1.66g.j 1.18m.r 0.88r.t 1.42i.n 0.93r.t 1.28d

CRI+B 0.91p.r 1.00n.q 1.47h.l 1.46h.l 1.19l.p 1.55g.k 1.39i.l 1.69e.i 1.33cd 1.27l.q 1.56g.l 1.56g.l 1.48h.m 0.99o.s 1.02o.s 1.48h.m 1.70f.j 1.38cd

CRI+H 0.39t 1.20l.p 0.61st 2.45ab 0.87q.s 1.29k.n 1.21l.o 1.63f.j 1.21e 0.97p.s 1.48h.m 0.72s.u 2.64ab 0.49u 1.39j.n 1.32k.o 1.82e.g 1.35cd

T+B 1.21l.o 1.38j.l 2.08cd 1.35j.m 1.97de 0.79q.s 1.72e.h 1.31k.m 1.48b 2.41bc 0.91r.t 2.74a 2.26cd 1.29l.p 0.97p.s 2.54a.c 1.19m.r 1.79b

T+H 0.40t 0.98o.q 2.35a.c 1.44h.l 1.42i.l 0.64r.t 1.78e.g 0.89q.s 1.24de 1.64g.k 0.75s.u 2.57a.c 1.55g.l 0.62tu 1.10n.r 2.00d.f 1.00o.s 1.40c

Mean 0.84e 1.04d 1.77a 1.79a 1.63b 0.99d 1.76a 1.24c 1.73c 1.13e 1.98a 1.93ab 1.05e 1.18e 1.84bc 1.38d

Mean 0.94d 1.78a 1.31c 1.50b 1.43c 1.96a 1.12d 1.61b

LSD 0.05p= W*F*V 0.2950, W 0.1043, F 0.0852, F*V 0.1204 LSD 0.05p= W*F*V 0.3309, W 0.1170, F 0.0955, F*V 0.1351

Ch

loro

ph

yll

“b

”

(m

g g

-1)

Irrig

ati

on

wa

ter-r

eg

imes

Control (CRI+T+B+H) 0.21q 0.86c 0.61u 0.89b 0.59x 0.72k 0.49e 0.70n 0.63a 1.03b 0.47st 1.06a 0.87f 0.89e 0.85fg 0.87f 0.75i 0.85a

CRI+T+B 0.60w 0.52d 0.72j 0.70m 0.52c 0.61t 0.48g 0.56z 0.59c 0.72j 0.61no 0.84g 0.79h 0.64m 0.70k 0.60n.p 0.65lm 0.69b

CRI+B 0.37l 0.57y 0.73i 0.65q 0.72l 0.30n 0.74f 0.32m 0.55d 0.55q 0.64lm 0.91d 0.72j 0.90de 0.37v 0.76i 0.39v 0.65c

CRI+H 0.46h 0.20r 0.80e 0.60v 0.61v 0.45i 0.65p 0.44j 0.53e 0.47st 0.21y 0.62n 0.61no 0.51r 0.46tu 0.59op 0.45u 0.49e

T+B 0.53b 0.25p 0.90a 0.68o 0.82d 0.54a 0.74h 0.44k 0.61b 0.30w 0.55q 0.95c 0.84g 0.59p 0.70k 0.49s 0.76i 0.63d

T+H 0.27o 0.09s 0.74g 0.64s 0.72j 0.49f 0.65r 0.59x 0.52f 0.28x 0.11z 0.75i 0.66l 0.73j 0.31w 0.66lm 0.21y 0.46f

Mean 0.41h 0.41g 0.75a 0.69b 0.66c 0.52e 0.62d 0.51f 0.56e 0.43g 0.85a 0.75b 0.71c 0.56e 0.66d 0.53f

Mean 0.41d 0.72a 0.59b 0.57c 0.49d 0.80a 0.64b 0.60c

LSD 0.05p= W*F*V 0.173, W 0.164, F 0.422, F*V 0.0153 LSD 0.05p= W*F*V 0.0193, W 0.1112, F 0.232, F*V 0.1209

K+ c

on

ten

ts

(mg

g-1

)

Irrig

ati

on

wa

ter-r

eg

imes

Control (CRI+T+B+H) 2.00d 1.90e 2.33a 2.20b 2.10c 1.80f 2.20b 2.10c 2.07a 2.43c.g 2.37c.i 3.01a 2.59b.d 2.46c.g 2.24e.l 2.51c.e 2.44c.g 2.50a

CRI+T+B 1.80f 1.10m 2.20b 1.40j 1.60h 1.30k 1.70g 1.40j 1.56c 2.24e.l 2.14g.o 2.61b.d 2.39c.h 2.21e.n 2.14f.o 2.64bc 2.33c.j 2.34b

CRI+B 0.60q 0.60q 1.10m 1.00n 0.80p 0.80p 0.90o 0.90o 0.83f 1.57t.v 1.50uv 1.72q.v 1.59s.v 1.48uv 1.39v 1.58s.v 1.50uv 1.54f

CRI+H 1.10m 1.10m 1.20l 1.40j 1.00n 1.10m 1.10m 1.10m 1.13e 1.70r.v 1.70r.v 1.89m.t 1.99j.r 1.66r.v 1.84o.t 1.70r.v 1.78p.u 1.78e

T+B 1.60h 1.50i 2.20b 1.80f 1.70g 1.60h 2.00d 1.70g 1.76b 2.48c.f 1.76p.u 2.87ab 2.07h.p 2.28d.k 1.97k.r 2.22e.m 2.05i.q 2.21c

T+H 1.30k 1.20l 1.40j 1.30k 1.20l 1.10m 1.30k 1.20l 1.25d 1.95k.r 1.81o.u 2.08h.p 1.91l.s 1.87n.t 1.71q.v 1.96k.r 1.96k.r 1.91d

Mean 1.40c 1.23e 1.73a 1.51b 1.40c 1.28d 1.53b 1.40c 2.06b 1.88c 2.36a 2.09b 1.99bc 1.88c 2.10b 2.01bc

Mean 1.31c 1.62a 1.34c 1.46b 1.97bc 2.23a 1.94c 2.05b

LSD 0.05p= W*F*V 0.0969, W 0.0343, F 0.0280, F*V 0.0396 LSD 0.05p= W*F*V 0.3404, W 0.1204, F 0.0983, F*V 0.1390

139

Table 5.4. Influence of different foliar agents on fertile tillers (m-2), grain Spike-1 and 1000 grain weight (g) of wheat cultivars under applied irrigation water-regimes during 2013-2014 (Year-I) and 2014-2015 (Year-II).

Means not sharing the same letters in a group differ significantly at 5% probability level. {crown root initiation (CRI), tillering (T), booting (B), heading (H) stages}

Year-I Year-II F

erti

le t

ille

rs

(m-2

) Foliar application H2O2 MLE KCl BAP

H2O2 MLE30 KCl BAP

Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

Irrig

ati

on

wa

ter-r

eg

imes

Control (CRI+T+B+H) 300f.h 342a.c 348ab 351a 309e.g 336a.c 343a.c 330b.d 332a 270g.j 332a.e 352a 355a 290f.i 323a.f 335a.d 336a.d 324a

CRI+T+B 330b.d 312d.f 342a.c 333a.c 334a.c 297f.h 342a.c 308e.g 325b 312c.f 305d.g 331a.e 337a.d 337a.d 268ij 348ab 314b.f 319a

CRI+B 289gh 290gh 302f.h 287h 295f.h 301f.h 295f.h 292gh 294c 324a.f 241j.l 344a.c 242j.l 322a.f 232k.m 329a.e 253jk 286b

CRI+H 202j.l 209j 240i 196j.l 201j.l 201j.l 200j.l 197j.l 206d 204m.p 211l.o 224k.n 200m.p 204m.p 199m.p 206m.p 203m.p 206c

T+B 339a.c 239i 340a.c 238i 329b.d 248i 323c.e 247i 288c 291f.i 292f.i 306d.f 291f.i 298e.i 304d.h 270h.j 297e.i 293b

T+H 188kl 184l 205jk 188kl 191j.l 187kl 188kl 184l 189e 190n.q 186o.q 209l.p 193n.q 193n.q 174pq 194n.q 159q 187d

Mean 275b 263c 296a 265c 276b 261c 282b 259c 265c 261cd 294a 269bc 274bc 250d 280ab 260cd

Mean 269b 281a 269b 271b 263b 282a 262b 270b

LSD 0.05p= W*F*V 20.179, W 7.1343, F 5.8251, F*V 8.2379 LSD 0.05p= W*F*V 35.170, W 12.434, F 10.153, F*V 14.358

Gra

in s

pik

e-1

Irrig

ati

on

wa

ter-r

eg

imes

Control (CRI+T+B+H) 36v 37t 50a 45d 41k 37t 46c 40n 41b 42kl 43jk 55a 51bc 47fg 43jk 47f.h 45g.i 46b

CRI+T+B 42g 36v 47b 45d 44e 37t 46c 40n 42a 48ef 41lm 52b 50cd 49de 42kl 51bc 45hi 47a

CRI+B 34z 39o 46c 42hi 38qr 42hi 42hi 39o 40c 44ij 39no 48ef 48ef 45hi 41lm 46gh 43jk 44d

CRI+H 31b 39p 42g 41k 36w 40m 42i 41l 39d 37p 44ij 48ef 47fg 41lm 46gh 47fg 46gh 44d

T+B 38q 34a 42f 42h 40n 35x 41k 38r 39e 39no 44ij 51bc 47fg 43jk 47fg 47fg 44ij 45c

T+H 37u 37s 42f 39o 35y 37t 42j 38p 38f 38op 41l.n 47fg 41lm 39no 40m.o 46gh 41k.m 41e

Mean 36h 37g 45a 42c 39e 38f 43b 39d 41e 42e 50a 47b 44c 43d 47b 44c

Mean 37d 44a 38c 41b 42d 49a 43c 46b

LSD 0.05p= W*F*V 0.1351, W 0.0478, F 0.0390, F*V 0.0552 LSD 0.05p= W*F*V 1.7024, W 0.6019, F 0.4914, F*V 0.6950

10

00-G

rain

wei

gh

t

(g)

Irrig

ati

on

wa

ter-r

eg

imes

Control (CRI+T+B+H) 37.30l 37.86j 51.60a 43.20c 40.40f 37.50k 43.00d 39.70g 41.32a 39.16j 39.76h 48.76a 41.06d 41.66c 38.76k 44.36b 40.36g 41.74a

CRI+T+B 33.06v 35.66p 43.76b 37.16m 35.56q 35.06r 35.96o 36.26n 36.56b 29.86I 30.66F 34.46u 36.56q 33.86x 29.26J 30.56G 35.40s 32.58c

CRI+B 31.36b 30.46d 32.76x 34.36s 29.76f 30.76c 31.46a 32.46z 31.67d 33.26Z 32.36B 32.80A 33.80y 31.00E 32.00C 29.90I 31.50D 32.07d

CRI+H 23.80o 24.80m 30.16e 32.90w 26.26k 24.80m 27.16j 26.30k 27.02f 25.66q 26.66O 28.50K 30.06H 27.50M 26.06P 27.30N 27.66L 27.42f

T+B 28.00i 28.76g 33.40u 39.46h 32.60y 28.06h 33.10v 34.06t 32.18c 34.96t 37.56n 40.90e 37.66M 36.80p 36.30r 37.36o 34.30w 36.98b

T+H 32.46z 23.66p 42.46e 24.96l 37.16m 22.16q 39.36i 24.26n 30.81e 34.36v 25.56r 40.70f 25.66Q 38.36l 23.40S 39.56i 22.10T 31.21e

Mean 31.00f 30.20g 39.02a 35.34b 33.62d 29.72h 35.01c 32.17e 32.88e 32.10f 37.68a 34.13d 34.86b 30.96h 34.84c 31.88g

Mean 30.60d 37.18a 31.67c 33.59b 32.49d 35.91a 32.91c 33.36b

LSD 0.05p= W*F*V 0.0446, W 0.0158, F 0.0129, F*V 0.0182 LSD 0.05p= W*F*V 0.0452, W 0.0160, F 0.0131, F*V 0.0185

140

Table 5.5. Influence of different Foliar agents on grain yield (t/ha), biological yield (t/ha) and harvest index (%) of wheat cultivars under applied irrigation water-regimes during 2013-2014 (Year-I) and 2014-2015 (Year-II).

Means not sharing the same letters in a group differ significantly at 5% probability level. {crown root initiation (CRI), tillering (T), booting (B), heading (H) stages}

Year-I Year-II G

rain

yie

ld

(t/h

a)

Foliar application H2O2 MLE KCl BAP

H2O2 MLE30 KCl BAP

Wheat cultivars AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 AARI-11 Millat-11 Mean

Irrig

ati

on

wa

ter-r

eg

imes

Control (CRI+T+B+H) 4.55h.l 4.07n.p 5.65a 4.41j.n 4.86e.h 4.29k.o 4.92d.g 4.31j.o 4.63a 4.88f.k 4.25p.r 5.84a 5.40bc 4.88f.k 4.38n.r 5.37b.d 5.28b.e 5.04a

CRI+T+B 4.38j.n 2.08v 5.47ab 4.62g.k 5.22b.d 3.14tu 5.28bc 4.18m.p 4.29c 4.55k.q 5.18c.f 5.19c.f 4.41m.r 4.56k.q 4.90f.k 5.00e.i 5.37b.d 4.89b

CRI+B 4.48j.m 2.20v 4.97c.f 3.93pq 4.50i.m 2.94u 4.58g.k 3.88p.r 3.93e 4.68h.n 4.61j.p 5.40bc 5.11c.g 4.63i.o 3.42u 4.95e.j 4.08rs 4.61c

CRI+H 4.40j.n 3.14tu 5.17b.e 4.62f.k 3.41st 4.20m.p 4.65f.j 4.57g.k 4.27c 4.51l.q 4.41m.r 4.76g.m 4.85f.l 4.41m.r 3.67tu 4.58k.q 4.58k.q 4.47d

T+B 4.59g.k 3.43st 5.25b.d 4.44j.m 5.09c.e 3.55rs 5.10c.e 4.32j.o 4.47b 4.68h.n 4.11rs 5.63ab 5.40bc 4.41m.r 4.38n.r 5.12c.g 5.37b.d 4.89b

T+H 4.01o.q 3.69q.s 4.83e.i 4.46j.m 4.21l.p 3.44st 4.34j.o 4.01o.q 4.12d 4.21qr 4.27o.r 5.03d.h 5.17c.f 3.79st 4.78g.l 5.06c.g 4.60j.p 4.61c

Mean 4.40d 3.10g 5.22a 4.41cd 4.55c 3.59f 4.81b 4.21e 4.59d 4.47d 5.31a 5.06b 4.45d 4.26e 5.01bc 4.88c 4.59d

Mean 3.75d 4.82a 4.07c 4.51b 4.53c 5.18a 4.35d 4.94b

LSD 0.05p= W*F*V 0.3470, W 0.1227, F 0.1002, F*V 0.1416 LSD 0.05p= W*F*V 0.3659, W 0.1294, F 0.1056, F*V 0.1494

Bio

log

ica

l y

ield

(t/h

a)

Irrig

ati

on

wa

ter-r

eg

imes

Control (CRI+T+B+H) 12.03f 9.93s 13.33a 11.33i 12.83d 9.33x 12.96c 10.66n 11.55a 13.42b.d 11.69g.m 14.47a 12.14f.i 13.30b.e 11.81g.k 13.83ab 10.84l.r 12.69a

CRI+T+B 11.16j 7.96E 11.66g 10.03r 11.13j 8.53C 11.36i 9.16z 10.12d 12.60d.g 10.19q.v 13.58a.c 11.77g.l 12.77c.f 11.82g.k 12.80c.f 11.41h.o 12.12b

CRI+B 10.20q 8.86A 11.66g 11.13j 11.60h 9.13z 11.16j 9.73u 10.43c 9.91s.v 8.27w 12.80c.f 10.93k.r 10.79m.s 9.80t.v 11.17j.p 10.40p.u 10.51e

CRI+H 9.80t 7.63G 10.16q 10.06r 9.83t 7.83F 9.90s 8.76B 9.25f 11.51h.m 10.10r.v 13.40b.d 11.43h.n 11.36i.o 10.48o.t 10.56n.t 11.16j.p 11.25cd

T+B 10.73m 8.03D 13.03b 11.16j 11.03k 9.13z 12.46e 9.63v 10.65b 11.07j.q 10.19q.v 13.81ab 11.89f.j 12.11f.i 10.54n.t 12.21f.i 10.79m.s 11.57c

T+H 10.33p 7.63G 10.96l 9.46w 10.43o 8.86A 10.73m 9.23y 9.70e 10.90k.r 9.47uv 13.54bc 12.33f.h 11.36i.o 9.45v 12.45e.g 10.15q.v 11.21d

Mean 10.71d 8.34h 11.80a 10.53e 11.14c 8.80g 11.43b 9.53f 11.57c 9.98e 13.60a 11.75c 11.95bc 10.65d 12.17b 10.79d

Mean 9.52d 11.16a 9.97c 10.48b 10.78c 12.67a 11.30b 11.48b

LSD 0.05p= W*F*V 0.0500, W 0.0177, F 0.0144, F*V 0.0204 LSD 0.05p= W*F*V 0.9298, W 0.3287, F 0.2684, F*V 0.3796

Ha

rves

t in

dex

(%)

Irrig

ati

on

wa

ter-r

eg

imes

Control (CRI+T+B+H) 37.11f.m 40.51a.g 41.93a 41.78ab 33.17n.s 40.62a.f 41.00a.e 37.84c.l 39.24a 41.55a.e 33.67n.p 45.11ab 40.06c.j 42.02a.d 33.75n.p 41.86a.d 37.41f.n 39.43a

CRI+T+B 34.69l.r 39.05a.j 38.08b.l 31.90p.s 34.86k.q 39.75a.h 37.46d.m 41.22a.d 37.13b 38.44d.m 31.14op 44.08a.c 40.50c.i 30.15pq 40.13c.j 38.65d.m 40.99c.f 38.01ab

CRI+B 39.89a.h 32.87o.s 41.53a.c 35.53j.p 35.81i.o 27.77t 39.62a.i 31.58q.t 35.57c 34.17n.p 34.80m.o 39.05d.l 39.78d.k 36.54h.n 36.32j.n 35.52l.n 36.34j.n 36.56b

CRI+H 37.71d.m 29.72st 38.58a.k 34.42l.r 36.78g.n 30.92r.t 37.90c.l 33.24n.s 34.91c 34.79m.o 20.47r 41.09b.f 39.29d.l 39.29d.l 26.60q 40.61c.h 36.68g.n 34.85c

T+B 35.64j.p 37.23e.m 39.64a.h 38.06b.l 36.29h.o 36.15h.o 37.54d.m 36.40h.o 37.12b 40.78c.g 26.89q 45.20a 36.07j.n 41.92a.d 30.16pq 41.00b.f 37.38f.n 37.42b

T+H 36.98f.n 32.67o.s 40.25a.g 37.59d.m 34.81k.q 33.93m.r 38.02b.l 35.17k.q 36.18bc 36.81g.n 34.82m.o 39.18d.l 36.20j.n 37.43f.n 36.45i.n 35.68k.n 37.51f.n 36.76b

Mean 37.00b 35.34cd 40.00a 36.55bc 35.28cd 34.86d 38.59a 35.91b.d 37.76b 30.30d 42.28a 38.65b 37.89b 33.90c 38.89b 37.71b

Mean 36.17bc 38.27a 35.07c 37.25ab 34.03d 40.47a 35.90c 38.30b

LSD 0.05p= W*F*V 3.8185, W 1.3500, F 1.1023, F*V 1.5589 LSD 0.05p= W*F*V 4.1122, W 1.4539, F 1.1871, F*V 1.6788

141

Hamid Nawaz

Citizenship: Pakistani

Date of Birth: 01July 1987

Cell: +92-333-7718719

E-mail:[email protected]

Postal Address

Hamid Nawaz Ph.D (Scholar) Room#23 Qasim Hall, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan,

Pakistan

Linguistics

English (excellent)

Urdu (excellent)

Punjabi (fair)

Education

Ph.D. (Scholar) in Agronomy & Crop Physiology (3.93/4.00 GPA)

(2012-2016) Thesis Write Up

Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences & Technology

Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan

Project Title:Improvement in growth, yield and antioxidant status of wheat with

exogenous application of growth enhancers under drought stress conditions

Master in Agronomy & Allelopathy (74%) (30th April 2010-12)

University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan.

Thesis Title: Screening Faisalabad Flora for Allelopathic Potential against Maize

(Zea mays L.)

Bachelor in Agriculture-Major Agronomy(69.34%)

(2005-09)

University College of Agriculture BZU Multan, Pakistan.

F.Sc (Pre-medical) (67%)

(2002-05)

Govt. College Multan, Pakistan.

Matriculation (83%)

Govt. High School Kahror Pacca, Paksitan.

Seminars/Trainings/Conferences

14th National and 5th International Conference of Botany “Climate change and:

Challenges and Opportunities” January 15-18, 2016 Department of Botany,

University of Karachi Pakistan

“Extension and Communication Skills” at August 29, 2015, Bahauddin Zakariya

University Multan, Pakistan

“Biosafety Training Workshop For Young Scientists” at May 14 2015 Muhammad

Nawaz Shareef University of Agriculture, Multan Pakistan

“International conference on Citriculture challenges and management” at

February 11-13, 2015 Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, Pakistan

142

“International Conference Mango Nursery Raising” at March 26, 2015 Sindh

Agriculture University Tandojam.

“International Conference Malnutrition in south Asia: The peril Persists and

Food Expo” at February 23-24, 2015Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, Pakistan

“International Conference Irrigation management practices” April 09, 2014

Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, Pakistan.

“International Conference on “Stress Biology and Biotechnology Management

and options”at 21-23 May, 2014, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Punjab University

Lahore Pakistan.

Certificate “ National conference on Agriculture in Arid Environment” at March

25-26, 2013, Bahadur Sub Campus Layyah,Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan,

Pakistan

International Conference on “Stress Biology and Biotechnology Management and

options”at 21-23 May, 2014, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Punjab University

Lahore Pakistan.

“AlivExpo 2014 and Conference in Food Security Challenges” at 31 March-2 April

2014, Agriculture Reform Movement (ARM) Pakistan and Faculty of Agricultural

Sciences & Technology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan Pakistan.

“12th International & National Chemistry Conference” at Oct 28-30, 2013 The

chemistry Society of Pakistan & Institute of Chemical Sciences, Bahauddin Zakariya

University, Multan Pakistan.

Workshop on “Modern corn Technologies” at Bahauddin Zakariya University,

Multan Pakistan Dec 13, 2103

Conference on "Sustainable Food Grain Production: Challenges and

Opportunities" University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (10/26/2009-10/27/2009)

13th Congress of Soil Science Society of Pakistan at Serena, Faisalabad (03/24/2010-

03/27/2010)

International Seminar on “ Crop management : issues and Options" University of

Agriculture, Faisalabad (07/01/2011-07/02/2011)

International Seed Course on “Seed Physiology, Production and Management”

University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (09/27/2011-09/28/2011)

Seminar on "Modern Approaches and Techniques in Agriculture to Ensure Food

Security in Pakistan" University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan (10/13/2008-

10/14/2008)

Publications

Abstracts:

14th National and 5th International Conference of Botany “Climate change and:

Challenges and Opportunities” January 15-18, 2016 Department of Botany,

University of Karachi Pakistan.

“Malnutrition in south Asia: The peril Persists and Food Expo” at February 23-24,

2015 Moringa Oleifera: A tool for food security in wheat under drought stress”

Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, Pakistan

International Conference on Stress Biology & Biotechnology Challenges and

Management 2013 Germination potential: an important screening tool for wheat

(Triticum aestivum L.) varieties under drought stressInstitute of Agricultural

Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore Pakistan

6th World Congress on “Allelopathy for Sustainable” Development December 15-19,

2011, "ALLELOPATHIC ACTIVITY OF VARIOUS PLANTS FROM

143

RAWALAKOT AGAINST MAIZE (Zea mays L.)" Guangzhou, China South China

Agricultural University

The 6th World Congress on “Allelopathy for Sustainable Development” December 15-

19, 2011, “GERMINATIONAND SEEDLING RESPONSE OF MAIZE (Zea mays

L.) TO VARIOUS ALLELOPATHIC PLANT EXTRACTS" Guangzhou, China

South China Agricultural University

International Seminar on “Crop management: issues and Options" (07/01/2011-

07/02/2011) “EXPLORING ALLELOPATHIC POTENTIAL OF PLANTS

COLLECTED FROM DISTRICT FAISALABAD” University of Agriculture,

Faisalabad, Pakistan. National Conference on “Sustainable Agriculture in Changing Climate”, July 7-9,

2011, “STUDYING THE ROLE OF SEED PRIMING WITH RHIZOBIA ON

PRODUCTIVITY OF MUNG BEAN” (Vigna radiate L.) Bara Gali, Pakistan

National Conference on “Sustainable Agriculture in Changing Climate”, July 7-9,

2011,“STUDYING THE IMPACT OF NUTRIPRIMING WITH SELENIUM ON

MAIZE” (Zea mays L.) Bara Gali, Pakistan

Article:

Hamid Nawaz, Azra Yasmeen, Muhammad Akber Anjum, Nazim Hussain (2016)

"Exogenous application of growth enhancers alleviates water stress in wheat by

antioxidant enhancement". Frontier in Plant Sciences Manuscript# 185173

(Provisionally accepted) Hamid Nawaz, Nazim Hussain, Azra Yasmeen (2016) Seed priming: a potential

stratagem for ameliorating irrigation water deficit in wheat. Archive of agronomy and

soil science (Reviewer processing)

Hamid N., N. Hussain, M.I.A. Rehmani, A. Yasmeen, M. Arif (2016) Comparative

performance of cotton cultivars under conventional and ultra-narrow row (UNR)

spacing (Pure Appl. Biol., 5(1): 15-25) Muhammad Ishaq Asif Rehmani, Muhammad Farukh Fareed, Abid Mahmood Alvi,

Muhammad Ibrahim, Nazim Hussain, Safdar Hussain, Javed Iqbal, Muhammad Amjad

Bashirand Hamid Nawaz (2016) Delayed wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivation and

role of diverse seeding rates and row spacings under semiarid agro-climatic situations. Pure

Appl. Biol., 5(1): 72-84. Hamid Nawaz, Nazim Hussain, Azra Yasmeen (2015) Pictorial review of critical

stages at vegetative and reproductive growth in wheat for irrigation water regimes.

Appl. Sci. Bus. Econ. ISSN 2312-9832.

Hamid N., Nazim Hussain, Azra Yasmeen (2015) Growth, yield and antioxidants status

of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars under water deficit conditions (Pakjas Vol.

52(4), 953-959) Muhammad A., H.M. Nasrullah, M. Akhtar, B. Ali1, M. Akram, H. Nawaz, H.M.R.

Javeed (2015) Role of different planting techniques in improving the water logging

tolerance andproductivity of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) (Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind.

Res. 50(3), 193-198)

Nazim H., A. Yasmeen, M. Arif and H. Nawaz (2014) Exploring the role of row

spacing in yield improvement of wheat cultivars Pak. J. Agri. Sci., Vol. 51(1), 1-7)

Hamid N., N. Hussain, A. Yasmeen, M. Arif, M. Hussain, M.I.A Rehmani, M.B.

Chattha and A. Ahmad (2014) Soil Applied Zinc Ensures High Production and Net

Returns of Divergent Wheat Cultivars JEAS, ISSN: 2313-8629

Honors

144

Shield as a Chief organizer in “AlivExpo 2014 and Conference in Food Security

Challenges” at 31 March-2 April 2014, Agriculture Reform Movement (ARM)

Pakistan and Faculty of Agricultural Sciences & Technology, Bahauddin Zakariya

University, Multan Pakistan

Experiences

6th month Internee Research Officer in “Regional Agriculture Research Institute”

Bahawalpur, Pakistan.

One year experience as a Research Fellow in HEC Funded Project “Screening

Faisalabad Flora For Allelopathic Potential” in weed science and allelopathy lab

University of Agriculture, Faisalabad.

Distinctions

Certificate 14th National and 5thInternational Conference of Botany “Climate

change and: Challenges and Opportunities” January 15-18, 2016 Department of

Botany, University of Karachi Pakistan

Certificate “Extension and communication skills” at August 29, 2015, Bahauddin

Zakariya University Multan, Pakistan

Certificate “Biosafety Training Workshop For Young Scientists” at May 14 2015

Muhammad Nawaz Shareef University of Agriculture, Multan Pakistan

Certificate “International conference on Citriculture challenges and

management” at February 11-13, 2015 Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan,

Pakistan

Certificate “International Conference Mango Nursery Raising” at March 26, 2015

Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam.

Certificate “Malnutrition in south Asia: The peril Persists and Food Expo” at

February 23-24, 2015Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, Pakistan

Certificate “Irrigation management practices” April 09, 2014 Bahauddin Zakariya

University Multan, Pakistan.

Certificate “International Conference on “Stress Biology and Biotechnology

Management and options”at 21-23 May, 2014, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences,

Punjab University Lahore Pakistan.

Certificate “ National conference on Agriculture in Arid Environment” at March

25-26, 2013, Bahadur Sub Campus Layyah,Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan,

Pakistan

Certificate “12th International & 24th National Chemistry Conference” at October

28-30, 2013Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, Pakistan

Certificate “International workshop on Biochar in Pakistan: Opportunities and

Potential” at March 24-27, 2014, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad

Certificate “International seminar on global change and Pakistan

Perspective”atSeptember 16, 2014. University of Agriculture, Faisalabad.

Certificate “AlivExpo 2014 and Conference in Food Security Challenges” at 31

March-2 April 2014, Agriculture Reform Movement (ARM) Pakistan and Faculty of

Agricultural Sciences & Technology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan Pakistan.

Certificate “12th International & National Chemistry Conference” at Oct 28-30,

2013 The chemistry Society of Pakistan & Institute of Chemical Sciences, Bahauddin

Zakariya University, Multan Pakistan.

CertificateWorkshop on “Modern corn Technologies” at Bahauddin Zakariya

University, Multan Pakistan Dec 13, 2103

145

CertificateConference on "Sustainable Food Grain Production: Challenges and

Opportunities" University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (10/26/2009-10/27/2009)

Certificate of Appreciation at International Seminar on “ Crop management : issues

and Options" University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (07/01/2011-07/02/2011)

CertificateManagement, Society of Young Agronomist, Department of Agronomy,

University of Agriculture, Faisalabad

Certificate“Efficient resource management for sustainable Agriculture” 13th

Congress of Soil Science Society of Pakistan at Serena, Faisalabad (03/24/2010-

03/27/2010) 24-27 March, 2010.

References

Dr. Nazim Hussain Labar Professor/Supervisor

Department of Agronomy

Faculty of Agricultural Sciences & Technology

Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, Pakistan

Ph: +92-300-6307110, Fax: (+ 92 61) 9210098

[email protected]

Dr. Azra Yasmeen Associate Professor/ Co-Supervisor

Department of Agronomy

Faculty of Agricultural Sciences & Technology,

Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan,Pakistan

Ph: +92-301-7432004, Fax: (+ 92 61) 9210098

[email protected]

Dr. Fahd Rasul

Assistant Professor

Department of Agronomy

Faculty of Agriculture,

University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan

Ph: +92-322-7881778

[email protected]

Doç. Dr. Muhammad AASIM

Associate Professor

Department of Biotechnology,

Faculty of Science,

Necmettin Erbakan University,

Konya, Turkey

[email protected]

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