Influence of Trichoderma harzianum- seed Coating on the Biochemical Characteristics of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Under Salt Stress

Salt stress is one of the main limitations to Triticum aestivum productivity all around the world. An experiment was conducted to assess the effect of Trichoderma harzianum seed coating on germination and seedling development of wheat under salt stress (60 and 120 mM NaCl). The seeds of six wheat cultivars, namely Shafaq-06, Punjab-11, Millet, Seher, Pirsabik, and Aari were seed coated with Trichoderma (taken from NARC Pakistan) at the rate of 2 x 107 CFU using PelGel for 24 h. After air-drying at room temperature for 12 h, the coated seeds were sown in small pots. Experimentation was laid out in a completely randomized design with three replications. The data for various biochemical attributes were collected after 30 d of germination to test the seed and seedling vigor, respectively. Trichoderma harzianum seed coating reduced the amount of hydrogen peroxide, catalase, Malondialdehyde, and increased protein content, Ascorbate Peroidase, and total phenolics under salt stress advocating that its use is effective in the cultivation of crops in saline areas because it inhibits oxidative damage by triggering various phenolic compounds and scavenging proteins.