Response of Salt-Stressed Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to Potassium Humate Treatment and Potassium Silicate Foliar Application

THE PRESENT study was carried out to investigate the effect of high NaCl concentrations on some growth parameters and physiological processes of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plant. The results indicated that Gemeza. 9 was the most sensitive cultivar to high salinity levels compared to all tested wheat cultivars. Moreover, salinity stress caused a reduction in the germination percentage by 65% and all growth parameters by 21%, 25% and 60% in the lengths of shoot, root and leaf area, also by 27% and 48% in fresh weights of shoot, root and 40% and 75% in dry weights of shoot and root. It also increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes (peroxidase and catalase), lipid peroxidation and ascorbic acid content. Salinity induced increase of osmolytes compounds such as total soluble proteins, carbohydrates and amino acids. Furthermore, all measured yield parameters, the percentage of grain's maturity and productivity were highly decreased. Accordingly, the role of potassium humate and potassium silicate either sole or combined in alleviating the toxic effect of salinity was also studied. Results showed that application of potassium humate as sole had a stimulatory effect higher than potassium silicate or their combination. It increased the germinating percentage by 128% at 200mM NaCl. In addition, potassium humate and potassium silicate increased the photosynthetic activity, decreased the activity antioxidant enzymes (Peroxidase and Catalase) as well as biosynthesis of MDA and ascorbic acid also they induced increase biosynthesis of proteins and carbohydrates in yielded grains. Accordingly, our study recommends the application of potassium humate as an organic fertilizer and potassium silicate as a foliar spray for improving the quality and quantity of the sensitive wheat cultivar Gemeza. 9 cultivated in salty lands and increases its productivity.