Alleviation of negative effects of water stress in two contrasting wheat genotypes by calcium and abscisic acid

The individual and interactive role of calcium and abscisic acid (ABA) in amelioration of water stress simulated by polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 was investigated in two contrasting wheat genotypes. PEG solution (osmotic potential -1.5 MPa) was applied to 10-d-old seedlings growing under controlled conditions and changes in photosynthetic rate, activities of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase, water potential and stomatal conductance were observed in the presence of 0.1 mM ABA, 5 mM calcium chloride, 1 mM verapamil (Ca2+ channel blocker), and 1 mM fluridone (inhibitor of ABA biosynthesis). ABA and calcium chloride ameliorated the effects of water stress and the combination of the two was more effective. The two genotypes varied for their sensitivity to ABA and Ca2+ under stress. As was evident from application of their inhibitors, ABA caused more alleviation in C 306 (drought tolerant) while HD 2380 (drought susceptible) was more sensitive to Ca2+.