Effect of Hydroxybenzoic Acid Foliar Spray on Selected Wheat Varieties under Induced Heavy Metal Stress

This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of chromium heavy metal on the physicochemical and agronomic characters of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under hydroxybenzoic acid (HBA) foliar spray for the selected wheat varieties (Siran and Galaxy 2013). Different concentrations of chromium along with hydroxybenzoic acid (HBA) (2ppm, 2ppm+HBA, 4ppm, and 4ppm+HBA) were applied to the cultivars. Each treatment was replicated thrice in a randomized block design. The results of the present study revealed that different concentrations of chromium affected the agronomic parameters but hydroxybenzoic acid at a low concentration of Cr+3 enhanced the growth of the wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Significant inhibition of seed germination was recorded when seeds were exposed to a higher concentration of Cr+3 (4ppm) as compared to T5 (untreated control). The agronomic characters were found highest in T2 (2ppm+HBA) of both varieties, a significant reduction in agronomic characters was observed in T1 (2ppm) and T3 (4ppm) because both treatments were without hydroxybenzoic acid (HBA) foliar spray. On the basis of agronomic characters, Galaxy 2013 was found a bit tolerant as compare to Siran