Abscisic acid, relative water content and water use efficiency of wheat plants In relation to grain pretreatment by phytohormones and irrigation with sea water

Abstract

Irrigation of wheat plants with sea water (10% and 25%) led to significant increase in free and bound ABA in the leaves, especially at 25%. The relative water content (RWC) of the sea water irrigated plants was either higher (3rd leaf) or lower (5th leaf) than the control. Water use efficiency was lower in salinized plants than the control. Grain presoaking in either GA3, IAA or ABA was able to reduce the levels of accumulated ABA (free and bound) resulting from sea water irrigation. Hormonal treatments caused insignificant or significant increase in RWC. The three hormones were able to increase the lowered values of WUE of the salinized plants.