Response of Wheat Seeds Grown under NaCl and ZnCl2 Stress

The study was undertaken to study the effect of salt (NaCl) and heavy metal (ZnCl₂) stress on germination of selected wheat cultivar. Seeds were subjected to salt stress (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 mM) for NaCl and heavy metal stress (0.05, 0.5, 5, and 50 μg/ml) for ZnCl₂ which elucidated their physiological response towards them. About 100 % germinaton was obtained for all the salt treatments except 100 mM concentration, where 40 % germination was obtained which indicate a significant decrease in the germination percentage, germination rate, and appearance of leaves as the concentration increases with an increase in the salt concentration. For ZnCl₂, results for these parameters increased as the concentration was increased. However, highest average fresh weight, dry weight and shoot length were observed in 75 mM (NaCl) treatment concentrations and lowest in 25 mM and 100 mM concentration. For ZnCl₂, highest average fresh weight, dry weight and shoot length were observe in 5 μg/ml, 0.5 μg/ml and 5 μg/ml concentrations respectively and the lowest were found in 0.05, 5 and 0.5 μg/ml concentrations respectively. The seedling when accessed for RWC, then it was observed that those having high RWC are more resistance against salinity stress.