Effects of a long chain aliphatic alcohol mixture on growth and solute accumulation in water stressed wheat seedlings under laboratory conditions

Abstract

Polyethylene glycol (PEG)-induced water stress adversely affected the germination and seedling growth of Sonalika and WL2265 cultivars of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Application of a mixture of long-chain aliphatic alcohols having the composition C-24 Tetracosanol (10%), C-26 Hexacosanol (16%), C-28 Octacosanol (15%), C-30 Tricontanol (30%), C-32 Dotriacontanol (15%) and C-34 Tetratriacontanol (14%), partially ameliorated these effects and promoted both percent germination and seedling growth. Application also stimulated the activities of the hydrolases α- and β-amylase and acid invertase, so increasing free sugar accumulation. A role for long chain aliphatic alcohols in the regulation of carbohydrate metabolism is suggested. The alleviation of moisture stress by application of this mixture suggest that long chain aliphatic alcohols may be most effective at low water potentials.