Abstract
The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of Cuscuta reflexa extract (CRE) on the activities of germination enzymes, seed germination vigor, biomass production, physio-biochemical attributes, and seed yield of water-stressed wheat plants. Different levels of CRE (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50%), including water soaking, were used as seed priming. Water stress negatively affected the seed germination, germination enzyme activities, growth, yield, and different physio-biochemical attributes of wheat plants. Low doses of CRE (10, 20, and 30%) ameliorated the adverse effects of water stress on seed germination attributes, and activities of germination enzymes, but negative impacts were recorded at higher doses (40 and 50%) of CRE. Water-stressed wheat plants grown from seeds pre-treated with low doses of CRE also showed better growth and yield as compared with non-treated ones, and that was associated with an improvement in water relations, photosynthetic pigments, nutrient acquisition, reduced lipid peroxidation, and better antioxidative defense mechanisms. The maximum increase in seed yield was 14.77 and 12.32%, found in plants grown from seeds treated with 20% and 10% CRE, respectively. In conclusion, it is suggested that using low doses of CRE as seed priming can contribute to better wheat yield under water stress, especially in semi-arid and arid areas.
Highlights
In the present scenario, changing environmental conditions at a global level, along with deficiency of fresh water for irrigation, represent a major limiting abiotic factor for meeting the world food demand
Seed priming with Cuscuta reflexa extract (CRE) significantly affected these seed germination attributes under water-stressed and non-stressed conditions, but the increasing or decreasing effects were extract dose-dependent
A significant improvement in these seed attributes was recorded in seeds treated with 10, 20, and 30% CRE and the maximum improvement was at 20% dose of CRE
Summary
In the present scenario, changing environmental conditions at a global level, along with deficiency of fresh water for irrigation, represent a major limiting abiotic factor for meeting the world food demand. This issue threatens the world crop production through multiple ways. Water stress severely disturbs the plant water relations, including seed germination. It disturbs leaf photosynthetic processes through stomatal or non-stomatal factors, which cause the oxidative stress as a resulting reduction in growth and yield [6,7]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
