Enhancing Drought Resistance in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Seedlings by Aqueous Extract of Spirulina platensis

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University

2 Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.

3 Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Egypt

10.21608/mjb.2023.449564

Abstract

Drought is a significant constraint for growth and development, especially at the juvenile stage of wheat, a vital global crop. This study investigated the effects of drought and the potential of grain presoaking in Spirulina platensis aqueous extract (SPAE) on two distinct wheat cultivars (Shandawel 1 and Sakha 95). Parameters assessed included plumule and radicle length, the number of adventitious roots, fresh and dry mass, seedling water content, and germination percentage. Drought led to a decrease in most growth parameters but increased seedling dry mass. In comparison to presoaking in distilled water, presoaking in SPAE significantly mitigated the adverse effects of drought in both cultivars. Specifically, Spirulina platensis treatments enhanced plumule and radicle length, seedling fresh mass, and germination percentage in stressed seedlings. The study demonstrates the promising role of SPAE as a potential stress-alleviating agent in wheat cultivation under drought conditions, with varying effects observed across different wheat cultivars. The findings shed light on innovative strategies to improve wheat growth and development in drought-prone regions.

Keywords

Mansoura Journal of Biology
Volume 65, Issue 4
December 2023
Pages 24-34

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics