THE EFFECT OF SALINITY STRESS ON PROLINE METABOLISM IN TWO WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM) CULTIVARS

The effect of various NaCl treatments (0, 50, 100, 200 and 300 mM) at different growth and development stages (tillering, boot swelling, flowering and polination) of two wheat cultivars (Ghods: salt-sensitive; Boolani: salt-resistant) on proline concentration and the kinetic activity of proline dehydrogenase was studied under greenhouse conditions. Generally, in response to salinity treatments, the increase of proline level and the decrease of proline dehydrogenase activity in Ghods leaves were greater than in Boolani leaves. It is therefore concluded that, proline metabolism is probably one of the biochemical mechanisms influencing the response of these cultivars to salt stress.