TRIACONTANOL POSITIVELY INFLUENCES GROWTH, YIELD, BIOCHEMICAL ATTRIBUTES AND ANTIOXIDANT ENZYMES OF TWO LINSEED (LINUM USITATISSIMUM L.) ACCESSIONS DIFFERING IN DROUGHT TOLERANCE

Foliar application of three triacontanol (TRIA) levels i.e., 0, 1.0 and 0.1 mu M was performed on two linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) accessions (20888 and 22186) at week 6 and 9 from date of sowing under water deficit stress (50% field capacity). Data of growth and physiochemical parameters was determined after two weeks of foliar treatment of TRIA, while yield was obtained at maturity. Results of current study revealed that growth and yield significantly decreased in two linseed accessions under water deficit stress. However, foliar application of TRIA significantly increased shoot and root fresh and dry weight, shoot and root length, seed weight per plant, total number of seeds per plant, 1000-seed weight and number of capsules per plant, chlorophyll a, and b contents, activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and catalase), anthocyanin contents, total soluble proteins, free amino acids and total phenolics while decreased relative water content (%), carotenoids, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in both linseed accessions. Overall, foliar application of 1.0 mu M TRIA proved more effective in increasing growth and yield of two linseed accessions under drought stress. Of the two linseed accessions 20888 exhibited high growth and yield than linseed 22186 under drought stress or non-stress conditions.

Automated summary

This study showed that foliar application of triacontanol can promote growth and yield of linseed under water deficit stress. The concentration of 1.0 mu M triacontanol was the most effective.