Improved Wheat Growth Research Articles

Efficacy of Extraction Methods of Moringa oleifera Leaf Extract for Enhanced Growth and Yield of Wheat

A field study was conducted to assess effective method to get Moringa leaf extract, through its response on growth and yield traits of wheat. Extracts of whole or chopped and dry or fresh Moringa leaves were used exogenously i.e. pre-sowing seed soaking as well as water diluted solution based foliar spray application at tillering and booting stages. Significantly higher growth response in term of leaf area index, leaf area duration, and crop growth rate was observed when combination of 30 times diluted moringa leaf extract (MLE) was applied at both crop stages. Yield contributing traits of wheat such as fertile tillers, spikelet’s spikelet’s per spike, grains per spike, 1000 grain weight, biological and grain yields were recorded in significantly higher due to 30 times diluted fresh MLE followed by 20 times dilution of Moringa dried leaf powder (DLP). While, control treatment and hydro-priming showed at comparable results in the form of significantly lesser fertile tillers, grains per spike, 1000-grain weight and grain or biological yields. Conclusively, 30 times diluted MLE proved the best among the treatments combinations for improved wheat growth and yield however, the biochemical features responsible for such promotive response are yet to be investigated prior to dissemination of this technology to the farmer field.

Biochar application increased the growth and yield and reduced cadmium in drought stressed wheat grown in an aged contaminated soil

Cadmium (Cd) and drought stress in plants is a worldwide problem, whereas little is known about the effect of biochar (BC) under combined Cd and drought stress. The current study was conducted to determine the impact of BC on Cd uptake in wheat sown in Cd-contaminated soil under drought stress. Wheat was grown in a soil after incubating the soil for 15 days with three levels of BC (0%, 3.0% and 5.0% w/w). Three levels of drought stress (well-watered, mild drought and severe drought containing 70%, 50%, and 35% of soil water holding capacity respectively) were applied to 45-d-old wheat plants. Drought stress decreased plant height, spike length, chlorophyll contents, gas exchange parameters, root and shoot dry biomasses and grain yields. Drought stress also caused oxidative stress and decreased the antioxidant enzymes activities whereas increased the Cd concentration in plants. Biochar increased morphological and physiological parameters of wheat under combined drought and Cd stress and reduced the oxidative stress and Cd contents and increased antioxidant enzymes activities. The decrease in Cd concentration with BC application in drought-stressed plant might be attributed to BC-induced increase in crop biomass production and reduction in oxidative stress. These results indicate that BC could be used as an amendment in metal contaminated soil for improving wheat growth and reducing Cd concentrations under semiarid conditions.

Effect of zinc-lysine on growth, yield and cadmium uptake in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and health risk assessment

Cadmium (Cd) is among the most widespread toxic trace elements found in agricultural soils due to various anthropogenic activities. The role of micronutrient-amino chelates on reducing Cd toxicity in crop plants is recently introduced. The current study was conducted to highlight the role of foliar application of zinc-lysine (Zn-lys) complex on biochemical and growth parameters and Cd uptake in wheat (Triticum aestivum) grown in aged Cd-contaminated soil. Foliar concentration of Zn-lys (0, 10, 20, and 30 mg L−1) was applied at different time intervals (2nd, 3rd, 5th and 7th week of sowing) and plants were harvested at maturity. Folliar application of Zinc-lys significantly increased the photosynthesis, grain yield, enzyme activities and Zn contents in different plant tissues. Zinc-lys reduced Cd contents in grains, shoot and root as well as reduced the oxidative stress in wheat linearly in a dose-additive manner. Taken together, Zn-lys chelate efficiently improved wheat growth and fortified Zn contents while reduced Cd concentration in plant in a Zn-deficient Cd-contaminated soil. Although, health risk index (HRI) from the soil sampling area seems to be lower than <1 for Cd but may exceed due to long-term consumption of grains produced from such contaminated soil. Foliar applied Zn-lys reduced HRI which may help to reduce health risks associated with Cd.

Effect of rhizobacterial consortia from undisturbed arid- and agro-ecosystems on wheat growth under different conditions.

Wheat seedling inoculated with rhizobacterial consortia obtained from an undisturbed Chilean arid ecosystem showed improved growth in phosphorus-poor and partly dry soil. Arid ecosystems should be considered in further studies as an alternative source of microbial inoculants for agro-ecosystems subjected to stressful conditions by low nutrients and/or adverse climate events.

Plant growth promotion properties of bacterial strains isolated from the rhizosphere of the Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) adapted to saline-alkaline soils and their effect on wheat growth.

The Jerusalem artichoke (JA; Helianthus tuberosus), known to be tolerant to saline-alkaline soil conditions, has been cultivated for many years in the Yellow River delta, Shandong Province coastal zone, in China. The aim of our study was to isolate nitrogen-fixing bacteria colonizing the rhizosphere of JA and to characterize other plant growth promotion properties. The ultimate goal was to identify isolates that could be used as inoculants benefiting an economic crop, in particular for improving wheat growth production in the Yellow River delta. Bacterial strains were isolated from the rhizosphere soil of JA on the basis of growth on nitrogen-free Ashby medium. Identification and phylogenetic analysis was performed after nucleotide sequencing of 16S rRNA gene. Plant-growth-promoting traits, such as nitrogen fixation activity, phosphate solubilization activity, indole-3-acetic acid production, were determined using conventional methods. Eleven strains were isolated and 6 of them were further examined for their level of salt tolerance and their effect on plant growth promotion. Inoculation of Enterobacter sp. strain N10 on JA and wheat led to significant increases in both root and shoot dry mass and shoot height. Enterobacter sp. strain N10 appeared to be the best plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria to increase wheat productivity in future field applications.

The effect of municipal sludge compost on the mobility and bioavailability of Cd in a sierozem-wheat system in an arid region northwest of China

The effect of sewage sludge on the mobility and the bioavailability of trace metals in plant-soil systems have aroused wide interested and been widely explored. Based on a wheat-cultivating experiment, the effect of municipal sludge compost (MSC) on the mobility and bioavailability of Cd in a soil-wheat system was studied. With the application of MSC, soil organic matter (SOM), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) in the soil increased significantly, while concentrations of trace metals (Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb, Cd) were below the China's minimum thresholds. The application of MSC could improve wheat growth. The application of MSC at the rate of 0.5% had no significant effect on the chemical fraction distribution of Cd in soil. In two soil treatments, Cd mainly existed in the labile chemical fractions (exchangeable chemical fraction (EXCF) and carbonate chemical fraction (CABF)). However, the application of MSC could reduce accumulation of Cd by wheat. Cd contents in each part of the MSC-applied wheat were significantly less than that of non-MSC-applied wheat. In the tested soils, the extractable concentrations decreased in the order: EDTA > MgCl2 ≈ NH4OAc > DTPA. There were no significant differences between soil treatments in the amounts of extractable Cd when the extraction was done under neutral conditions, although significant differences were observed when the extraction was done under alkaline conditions. In this study, the DTPA extraction procedure provided a good indication of Cd bioavailability. Our results suggest that, in the short term at least, amending soils with MSC may benefit crop dry matter production while not increasing the risk of human exposure to Cd through consumption of wheat grown on MSC-amended soils.

Elemental sulfur improves growth and phytoremediative ability of wheat grown in lead-contaminated calcareous soil

ABSTRACTLittle is known about the effect of elemental sulfur on lead uptake and its toxicity in wheat. A pot experiment was conducted with the purpose to examine the impact of sulfur on improving Pb solubility in soil, and uptake and accumulation in wheat plants. The effect of three levels of lead (0, 50, and 100 mg/kg soil) and sulfur (0, 150, and 300 mmol/kg soil) was tested in all possible combinations. Root dry matter, straw, and grain yields, and the photosynthetic and transpiration rates decreased significantly with increase in the concentration of Pb in the soil. However, sulfur fertilization in the presence of Pb improved the photosynthetic and transpiration rates and consequently increased the straw and grain yields of wheat. It also enhanced Pb accumulation in roots, its translocation from roots to shoot, and accumulation in grain. S and Zn contents of different plant parts were also enhanced. Thus, by mitigating the toxic effect of Pb and improving wheat growth, sulfur enhances Pb accumulation by the aboveground plant parts and hence the phytoextraction capacity of wheat. However, total accumulation of Pb shows that wheat plant cannot be considered as a suitable candidate for phytoremediation.

Effect of Organic Manure on Wheat Grain Yield, Nutrient Accumulation, and Translocation

A field study was conducted for two consecutive growing seasons to assess the effect of organic manure on the growth, productivity and nutrient dynamics of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), as well as on the concentration of trace elements in soil and wheat plants. Treatments consisted of two rates of farmyard manure (16 and 32 Mg dry weight ha−1 yr−1), one rate of inorganic fertilizer (IF, 120 kg N ha−1 yr−1 plus 80 kg P2O5 ha−1 yr−1), and an unamended control. Manure improved wheat growth and productivity compared to the unamended control; the response was dependent on the application rate. The high manure rate increased the number of spikes m−2 and resulted in grain yield similar to that of the IF. Manure application caused no changes in N, P, and K concentrations in plant tissues. At the high manure rate, N and P uptake was similar to that of the IF. Averaged across years, manure application resulted in nutrient translocation from vegetative parts to grain at a lower (for the N) or similar (for the P) rate to that of the IF. No differences among treatments in nutrient translocation efficiency were observed. Nitrogen and P translocation was correlated with total aboveground N or P accumulation at anthesis, respectively. The N use efficiency of manure‐N was lower compared with that of inorganic fertilizer‐N, mainly because of the corresponding differences in uptake efficiency. Trace elements did not increase with added manure either in soil or in wheat plant tissues.

Growth, heavy metal status and yield of salt-stressed wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants as affected by the integrated application of bio-, organic and inorganic nitrogen-fertilizers

Efforts have been made to use the integrated application of bio-, organic and inorganic nitrogen (N)-fertilizers to decrease waste accumulation, and to minimize nutrient losses and yield contamination with heavy metals for human nutrition and health. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted to assess the effect of integrated applications of organic manures, bio-fertilizer and/or mineral-N fertilizers on growth, yield, some chemical constituents and shoot and yielded grain heavy metal contents of wheat ( Triticum aestivum L. cv. Sakha 93) plants grown under salinity stress (ECe = 7.84 dS m -1 ). Results showed that, the treatment comprised of ⅓NH 4 NO 3 (55 kg N ha -1 ) + Cerealine (bio-fertilizer; 4 Kg ha -1 ) + cattle manure (10 t ha -1 ) was found to be most effective, producing the best status of growth characteristics, osmoprotectants concentrations, essential nutrient contents, shoot heavy metal concentrations, and grain yield and its content of heavy metals compared to the all other treatments. The treatment comprised of Cerealine (4 Kg ha -1 ) + cattle manure (20 t ha -1 ) was occupied the second order. We can recommend to use the integrated treatment of ⅓NH 4 NO 3 (55 kg N ha -1 ) + Cerealine (bio-fertilizer; 4 Kg ha -1 ) + cattle manure (10 t ha -1 ) effectively in saline soils to improve wheat growth and yield with minimum contents of heavy metals for human health and nutrition.

Effect of silicon application on wheat seedlings growth under water-deficit stress induced by polyethylene glycol

Silicon is known to ameliorate the deleterious effects of drought on plant growth. We evaluated growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. CV. Chamran) under Water-Deficit Stress Induced by Polyethylene Glycol as affected by Si application. In this article, the effects of Si (as potassium silicate) on some parameters related to growth, chlorophyll concentration relative water content (RWC), electrolyte leakage, proline, soluble sugar, and inorganic ions in the leaves of wheat under 20% (w/v) polyethylene glycol (PEG-6000) simulative drought stress are investigated. PEG stress depressed the growth of shoot, RWC and chlorophyll concentration. Addition of 1.0 mM Si could partially improve the growth of shoot (but not root) and increase the chlorophyll concentrations of stressed plants. The proline concentration in the leaves was markedly increased under PEG stress, whereas added silicon partially reversed this. PEG stress decreased the leaf soluble sugar concentration. There were significant negative regressions between proline concentration and Shoot dry weight, supporting the view that proline accumulation is a symptom of stress damage rather than stress tolerance. Addition of Si obviously increased Si accumulation in the shoot. Analyses of K, and Ca showed no accumulation of these ions in the shoot under water stress, and added Si even increased their concentrations under water stress. These results suggest that under PEG-induced water stress conditions, increase soluble sugar and decrease electrolyte leakage, contributed to the improved wheat growth by Si.

The stimulatory effects of L-tryptophan and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on soil health and physiology of wheat

During the present study, Pseudomonas moraviensis and Bacillus cereus, were isolated from rhizosphere soil of halophytic weed (cenchrus ciliaris L.) of Khewra salt range, and used as bioinoculants. The plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) were applied to wheat (Triticum aestivum) by seeds soaking, and aqueous solution of tryptophan was added to the rhizosphere soil at 1ug/L, after seed germination. Experiment was conducted at Quaid-e-Azam University Islamabad both in pots (filled with sterilized soil) under axenic condition and in field under natural condition, for two consecutive years. The inoculation of Pseudomonas moraviensis and Bacillus cereus, significantly increased the organic matter, P, K, Ca, and NO 3 -N availability of soil. The inoculation of these PGPR positively enhanced growth and physiology of treated plants, and this affect was further augmented in the presence of tryptophan. Addition of tryptophan with Pseudomonas moraviensis and Bacillus cereus increased the fresh weight, proline contents and activities of antioxidant enzymes significantly over control. Added tryptophan with both PGPR, improved the number of plants at yield and seeds establishment by improving number of seeds/spike and spike length. Effects of PGPR inoculation alone and with tryptophan were more pronounced in pots grown plants. It is inferred from the results, that tryptophan addition is a competent source for increasing potential of PGPR, thereby improving wheat growth, and physiology.

Field Application of the Mycorrhizal Fungus &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Rhizophagus irregularis&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; Increases the Yield of Wheat Crop and Affects Soil Microbial Functionalities

The aim of this study was to test the impact of Rhizophagus irregularis, an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF), on durum wheat growth and soil microbial functionalities in a field inoculation trial conducted in Morocco. The results showed that i) the R. irregularis inoculum effectively improved wheat growth, ii) wheat growth promotion depended on the soil mycorrhizal infectivity and iii) functional abilities of soil microflora depended on AMF inoculation. This study confirms that field AMF inoculation can be proposed as an effective agronomic practice in wheat production and as a sustainable cultural practice to manage soil biofunctioning. To fully promote inoculation practices, a better knowledge of AMF ecology has to be acquired to better adapt AMF inoculation to environmental conditions, and thus warrant better yields and agricultural sustainability.

Responses of Winter Wheat Production to Green Manure and Nitrogen Fertilizer on the Loess Plateau

Scant rainfall and poor soil fertility are the two major obstructions to crop production on the Loess Plateau. To improve crop productivity and to reduce N fertilizer rates, a 4‐yr field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of leguminous green manure (GM) and N fertilizer on winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) growth, yield, and economics on the Loess Plateau. Following a split‐plot design, the main treatments included three legume species: Huai bean (Glycine ussuriensis Regel et Maack.), soybean [G. max (L.) Merr.], mung bean (Phaseolus radiatus L.), and summer fallow (as control treatment [CK]); The subtreatments included four N fertilizer rates that were applied to the wheat. Leguminous GM apparently improved wheat growth, productivity, and nutrient uptake compared to bare fallow, especially during a wet year. At least 2 yr and abundant rainfall are required for bettering the GM approaches. Incorporation of GM for 4 yrs could effectively reduce the N fertilizer rate for wheat by 33% (54 kg N ha−1), with even more potential during a wet year. High expenditures for field management and variable weather patterns led to few direct economic benefits of GM approaches. Huai bean is a more profitable legume species to be used as GM crops. The cultivation of leguminous GM during summer is a better option than bare fallow for sustaining wheat productivity, and decreasing the required N fertilizer rates not only on the Loess Plateau of China but also in the other similar dryland regions around the world.

Effect of the Two Antioxidants; Glutathione and Ascorbic Acid on Vegetative Growth, Yield and Some Biochemical Changes in Two Wheat Cultivars

Two field experiments were carried out in the experimental farm of National Research Center at Nubaria, Egypt, during two successive seasons 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 to study the effect of the two antioxidants; glutathione and ascorbic acid on growth, yield and yield components of two cultivars of wheat plant (Triticum aestivum L.). The two cultivars were Sakha93 and Giza168. The two antioxidants were foliarly applied twice at the two concentrations 50 and 100ppm for each. The first spray was applied 30 days after sowing and the second spray was applied 15 days later (45 days after sowing). The results indicated significant increases in the growth of the two wheat cultivars Sakha93 and Giza168. The increase in growth was accompanied by increase in yield and yield components of the two cultivars compared to the corresponding controls. In general, growth and yield exhibited greatest response towards the higher concentration of glutathione. The increase in wheat growth was concomitant with increases in photosynthetic pigments, carbohydrate, total free amino acids and protein contents. The results suggested using both antioxidants glutathione and ascorbic acid especially at 100 ppm of glutathione to improve wheat growth and yield.

Exploring the potential of Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MLE) as a seed priming agent in improving wheat performance

Seed priming with plant extracts and chemicals has been used as an important growth enhancement tool in crop plants; however, the mechanisms of their action are not fully explored. In this research, an attempt was made to understand the mechanism of various seed priming treatments in greenhouse-grown wheat. The seed priming treatments used were hydropriming, on-farm priming, moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.) leaf extract (MLE) priming, and CaCl_2 priming. Results showed that all the seed priming treatments were effective in improving germination and seedling growth attributes of wheat over the control. However, MLE followed by CaCl_2 emerged as the most effective tools. The main mechanisms in this regard were the induction of an antioxidative system together with increased chlorophyll contents, ascorbic acid, and soluble phenolics contents. The results strongly support the view that seed priming with MLE is economical and can be effectively used to improve wheat growth under greenhouse conditions.

Control of Drought Stress in Wheat Using Plant-Growth-Promoting Bacteria

Abiotic stress conditions are the main limiting factors for crop cultivation around the world. In the present study we aimed to improve wheat growth under drought stress conditions through priming with beneficial bacteria considered as plant-growth promoting bacteria (PGPB). Two bacterial strains, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens 5113 and Azospirillum brasilense NO40, were used to prime the wheat cv. Sids1. To generate drought stress for 12-day-old seedlings, water was withheld for 4, 5, or 7 days while growth and survival were recorded. Furthermore, several stress markers were examined by molecular and biochemical assays to study the role of priming on different stress tolerance mechanisms. Priming significantly alleviated the deleterious effect of drought stress on wheat. Drought resulted in the upregulation of some stress-related genes (APX1, SAMS1, and HSP17.8) in the leaves and increased activity of enzymes involved in the plant ascorbate–glutathione redox cycle. Bacteria-treated plants showed attenuated transcript levels suggesting improved homeostatic mechanisms due to priming. The present study reports on the ability of certain PGPB to attenuate several stress consequences in plants which strongly supports the potential of such an approach to control drought stress in wheat.

Augmenting the salt tolerance in wheat (Triticum aestivum) through exogenously applied silicon

Although silicon improves the salt tolerance in grasses, the mechanism involved is still ambiguous. Moreover in wheat, classified as Si-accumulator, silicon can alleviate the salt stress. Hence in this study, the effects of silicon using calcium silicate (150 mg/L) on the morphology, physiology and biochemistry of wheat genotypes (salt sensitive; Auqab-2000 and salt tolerant; SARC-5) differing in salt tolerance under saline (12 dS/m) and non-saline soil media (2 dS/m) were investigated. Silicon supplementation into the root medium significantly improved the K + and K + :Na + ratio, leaf water potential and stomatal conductance, but reduced the Na + . Plants harvested at maturity indicated a concomitant increase in number of tillers, number of grains per spike, grain and straw yield with Si application both under optimal and stressful conditions. The results suggest that Si application in soil medium is beneficial in profoundly affecting physiological phenomena and improving wheat growth under salt stress. Keywords: Wheat, salt stress, silicon, wheat growth, K + :Na + , water potential, stomatal conductance.

Silicon mediated biochemical changes in wheat under salinized and non-salinzed solution cultures

Silicon (Si) can alleviate salinity damage, a major threat to agriculture that causes instability in wheat production. We report on the effects of silicon (150 mg L -1 ) on the morphological, physiological and biochemical traits in wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars (salt sensitive; Auqab-2000 and salt tolerant; SARC-5) differing in salt tolerance under saline (10 dS m -1 ) and non-saline (2 dS m -1 ) hydroponic culture. Silicon supplementation into the solution culture improved wheat growth and K + :Na + with reduced Na + and increased K + uptake. Moreover, higher relative water content (RWC), increase in chlorophyll fractions and its ratios and stimulated activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were observed. Nevertheless, the activity of peroxidase (POD) was reduced. We conclude that silicon inclusion into the growth medium is of assistance for wheat growth by maintaining plant water status, better K + :Na + , low electrolyte leakage and improved plant defense system adversely influenced by salt stress. SARC-5 showed better performance than Auqab-2000. Key words: Antioxidants, K + :Na + , silicon, salt stress, wheat growth.

Effect of Piriformospora indica and Azospirillum strains from saline or non-saline soil on mitigation of the effects of NaCl

Salinity toxicity is a worldwide agricultural and eco-environmental problem. The intent of this study was to determine the salt tolerance of Piriformospora indica and strains of Azospirillum, isolated from non-saline and saline soil, as well as to determine their affect on the tolerance of wheat to soil salinity. In this study, an experiment was conducted to investigate the salt stress tolerance abilities of the endophytic fungi, P. indica, and Azospirillum strains, isolated from non-saline and saline soil, at five NaCl levels (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5 mol L−1). Additionally, a greenhouse experiment was conducted to test the effects of these selected microorganisms under increasing salinity levels on seedling growth, solute accumulation (proline and sugars), and photosynthetic pigments (Chl a, b, ab) of seedling wheat. Azospirillum strains were isolated in Iran from the root of field-grown maize from non-saline soil with an EC = 0.7 dS m−1 and from saline soil with an EC = 4.7 dS m−1. Plants were irrigated with non-saline water–tap water with an electrical conductivity water (ECw) value of 0.2 dS m−1, as well as low, moderate and severe saline water-irrigation with saline water with an ECw of 4 dS m−1, 8 dS m−1 and 12 dS m−1, respectively. The upper threshold of P. indica salinity tolerance was 0.4 mol L−1 NaCl in both liquid and solid broth medium. The upper thresholds of the salt adapted and non-adapted Azospirillum strains were 0.2 and 0.4 mol L−1 NaCl, respectively. The results indicated a positive influence of the organisms on salinity tolerance, more with the saline-adapted Azospirillum strains than the non-adapted strains. P. indica was more effective than the Azospirillum strains. These results could be related to a better water status, higher photosynthetic pigment contents and proline accumulation in wheat seedlings inoculated with P. indica. The benefits of both isolates and P. indica depended on two factors: water salinity and growth stage of the host plant. Inoculation with the two isolates increased salinity tolerance of wheat plants; the saline-adapted Azospirillum strains showed better performance with respect to improved fresh and dry weights at 80 and 100 days after sowing under both non-saline and saline conditions. When compared to plants inoculated with non-saline-adapted Azospirillum strains, those inoculated with adapted Azospirillum strains had much better performance with respect to the presence of photosynthetic pigment (Chl a, b and ab) and proline accumulation. Overall, these results indicate that the symbiotic association between P. indica fungus and wheat plants improved wheat growth, regardless of the salinity. It is concluded that the mechanisms for protecting plants from the detrimental effects of salinity by P. indica fungus and Azospirillum strains may differ in their salinity tolerance and influence the uptake of water, photosynthetic pigment contents and proline accumulation in wheat seedlings.

Cold stratification, but not stratification in salinity, enhances seedling growth of wheat under salt treatment

Cold stratification was reported to release seed dormancy and enhance plant tolerance to salt stress. Experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis that cold stratification and cold stratification in salinity could enhance seedling growth of wheat under salt treatment. The results clearly demonstrated that cold stratification significantly improved emergence and shoot length of wheat seedlings under salt stress as compared to non-soaked control and distilled water soaked pre-treatment. However, cold stratification in salinity did not have a positive effect. Cold stratification, but not stratification in salinity, seems to be an effective technology for improving wheat growth in saline soil. Key words: Cold stratification, salt stress, seedling emergence, wheat.