Evaluation of selenium and salicylic acid effect on physiological and qualitative characteristics of dryland wheat cultivars

ABSTRACTThis experiment was carried out as factorial based on a randomized complete block design with three replications at the research station of the Islamic Azad UniversityArak Branch, Iran, in 2011 and 2012. Experimental factors consisted of three levels of salicylic acid (SA); seed priming with distilled water (hydro priming), seed priming with 0.5 mM SA, and 0.5 mM SA  seed priming 1 mM SA spraying; two levels of selenium (Se); 0 and 20 g ha1, and three rainfed wheat cultivars: Azar 2, Sardari, and Rasad. The results showed that SA seed priming combined with foliar application together with spraying of Se increased the relative water content in Azar 2 and Rasad cultivars compared to the hydro priming. The foliar application of Se increased the leaves proline amounts and grain Se concentration in wheat cultivars. Priming with SA combined with a spray of Se decreased the electrolyte leakage by 32% as compared to the control. The application of SA combined with foliar application of Se increased the proline amounts of leaves and grain Se concentration. Seed priming of SA in combination with foliar application of Se increased the grain gluten content in Sardari and Rasad cultivars. The highest productivity index (63.12%) and grain yield (1585.01 kg ha1) were obtained from Azar 2 cultivar. The results suggested that applying SA and Se may help in alleviating damage and improving the tolerance of drought stress and grain quality in wheat.