The effect of copper sulphate on germination indices and morphophysiological characteristics of four wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum L.)

Existence of copper sulfate in water and soil could leads to decreasing of germination and seedling establishment and also reduction in growth and crop productivity. A factorial experiment was conducted as a completely randomized design with three replications in agriculture faculty of Yasouj University. Experimental factors were included different concentrations of copper sulfate (0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 mg per liter) and different cultivars of wheat (Arg, Bahar, Back cross roshan and Roshan), respectively. The results indicated that the most length vigor (23.88), weight vigor (18.54) and dry weight of seedlling (18.54) were obtained from Roshan cultivar in 0 concentration of copper sulfate. Also the highest slouble sugars content (1.49 µmol/g) was achieved from Back cross roshan cultivar in 40 concentration of copper sulfate and the most amount of proline (0.79 µm/g) from Bahar cultivar in 40 concentration of copper sulfate. Among the main effects of copper sulfate the highest seed consumptive reserve (18.45 mg), seed reserve utilization efficiency (0.77 mg/mg seed) and seed reserve depletion percentage (53.1 percent) was obtained form 0 concenteration of copper sulfate and among the different wheat cultivars the most seed consumptive reserve (18.10 mg) and seed reserve depletion percentage (39.89%) form Roshan cultivar, the highest seed reserve utilization efficiency (0.76 mg.mg-1 seed) from Arg cultivar and the most germination rate (10.94) were obtained from Back cross roshan cultivar. Among the different wheat cultivars, Roshan and Back crass roshan cultivars in terms of tolerance to copper sulphate were superior to Arg and Bahar cultivars.