The Effects of Hydrogen Peroxide Pretreatment of Seeds on Morpho-Physiological and Biochemical Characteristics of Wheat under Salt Stress

Salinity is one of the main factors to reduce crop production worldwide, especially in dry land farms. In this study the effect of pretreatment of wheat seed with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) on various traits of wheat (Sardary) including morph-physiological parameters and yield components under salinity conditions were evaluated. This experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design with three replications, in greenhouse. Treatments were three salinity levels (0, 80 and 120 Mm) and four concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (0, 25, 50 and 80 Mm). In this study, salinity affected all of yield components, levels of antioxidants, photosynthetic pigments, length and number of leaf stomata. Pretreatment of seed with hydrogen peroxide alleviated the effect of salinity on yield through positive effect on plant water relation, pigments, leaf area and stomata. Plants from pretreatment of seed with hydrogen peroxide had higher relative water content, chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments, leaf area and lower number of stomata and larger length of stomata under salt stress condition as compared with control. Seed pretreatment with hydrogen peroxide also reduced the adverse effect of salinity.