Triacontanol as a versatile plant growth regulator in overcoming negative effects of salt stress

Abstract

Soil salinity is a key limiting factor to agricultural land production across the world, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions, since it interferes with plant physio-biochemical processes, resulting in reduced growth, development and crop yield. Plants, on the other hand, respond to these perturbations through several physiological, biochemical, molecular and structural processes that enable them to adapt to changing environments, but these systems are unable to withstand salt stress under extreme circumstances. Various solutions have been used to assist plants in resisting salt impacts to solve this problem. Plant growth regulators (PGRs) play a key role in a range of salt stress responses among the different techniques. So far, a variety of PGRs has been employed. Triacontanol (TRIA), a natural plant growth regulator in epicuticular waxes, is one of them. It is used on millions of hectares to increase agricultural productivity. A number of studies have documented TRIA-mediated improvements in growth, yield, photosynthesis, protein synthesis, water and nutrients intake, nitrogen fixation, and enzyme activity in diverse crops. TRIA is affected by the concentration at which it is used. Its lower concentrations often mitigate the effects of salinity. The function of exogenously applied TRIA in plant morpho-physiology and biochemistry, for example, in terms of growth, photosynthesis, enzymatic activity, yield and quality under normal and stressed situations, is critically examined in this paper. The method of action of TRIA and its interaction with other phytohormones in regulating the physio-biochemical processes and counteracting the stress-induced damages in plants are also emphasized in this article. • Soil salinity is the most prevalent abiotic stress among the many environmental stresses. • Plant growth regulators are signalling molecules controlling plant growth phases. • TRIA is natural plant growth regulator regulating developmental processes in crops. • TRIA helps to cope salinity stress by improving plant growth parameters.