Effects of Gibberellic Acid and Kinetin on Germination and Ion Accumulation in a Bangladesh Wheat Variety Under Salt Stress Conditions

Abstract

Salinity is the major environmental stress that restricts on agricultural productivity in arid and semiarid regions by a reduction in the germination rate. Experiments were carried out to assess the role of gibberellic acid (GA3) and kinetin on germination and ion accumulation in a Bangladesh wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) variety, namely Akbar under salt stress conditions. Increasing salt (NaCl) stress conditions consistently decreased the rate of germination of wheat. Gibberellic acid alone or in combination with kinetin alleviated the inhibitory effects of salinity on germination. However, kinetin alone further decreased the rate of germination under salt stress. Salt (NaCl) stress increased the accumulation of Na+ and Cl- while it decreased K+ accumulation in germinating seeds. Gibberellic acid caused an increase in K+ accumulation and a decrease in Na+ and Cl- accumulation in the germinating seeds. Kinetin increased Cl- accumulation and decreased K+ accumulation in salinity stressed wheat seedlings. Therefore, GA3 prominently relieved salt stress and improved the seed germination of wheat.