IMPACT OF ZN-LYSINE CHELATION FOLIAR APPLICATION IN WHEAT PLANTS UNDER DROUGHT STRESS
Khadija Ummer1*, Laiba Ali1, Hafiz Talha Hafeez2, Farooq Ahmed1, Iram Nisar1, Muhammad Asad Iqbal1, Hassan Zaib3, Sana Rashid4 and Muhammad Waqas2
Abstract
Drought stress poses a substantial threat to global wheat production, resulting in diminished growth, decreased grain yield, and eventual plant wilting.Wheat plants may also experience physiological changes due to the lack of water, such as altered stomatal behavior and reduced photosynthesis.The purpose of this study was to examine how foliar application of (Zinc) Zn-Lysine chelate affected wheat plants under drought stress.This study was conducted at the Botanical Garden of GCU in Faisalabad, where seeds from the wheat cultivar Millat-11 were used.To compare regular irrigation with water stress situations, the land was divided into two major plots.The experiment was carried out under controlled conditions, using a randomized complete block design with different levels of drought stress and 5 concentrations of Zn-Lysine chelate.(Dry, Hydro, 0.25%, 0.50 and 0.75 Zn-Lysine chelation).The relative leaf water content, cell membrane permeability, chlorophyll contents, flavonoid contents, total reducing sugar, hydrogen peroxide, ascorbic acid, and proline content were determined.Drought stress significantly reduced the biomass of wheat cultivar Millat-11, but foliar application treatment of Zn-Lysine chelation mitigated the influence of drought by improving biochemical and physiological characters.The research showed that Zn-Lysine chelation can successfully lessen the negative consequences of drought stress on wheat plants, favorably affecting a number of morphological, physiological, and biochemical characteristics.