Role of phenyalanine as elicitor to promote some physiological and biochemical attributes of two wheat cultivars grown under sandy soil conditions

Abstract

Phenylalanine is considered as an effective elicitor and bio-stimulant with positive influence on photosynthesis, plant growth, and yield of different crop species. So, a field experiment was carried out to investigate the role of phenylalanine at 0, 50, 75, 100 mg/L in inducing quality and quantity of two wheat cultivars. Results indicate that plant growth and yield of Gemiza 7 cultivar was more pronounced than that of Sakha 94 cultivar because of its higher significant vegetative growth parameters, total photosynthetic pigments, IAA, phenolic content, activities of both PAL and TAL enzymes, number of grains/spike, grains weight/spike, and weight of 1000 grains. The results also revealed that 100mg/L phenylalanine was the most effective treatment followed by 75mg/L phenylalanine. It was noted that phenylalanine at 100mg/L significantly increased shoot dry weight, total photosynthetic pigments, IAA, phenolic content, PAL, TAL of both cultivars relative to corresponding controls. Likewise, 100mg/L phenylalanine significantly increased grains yield (ardab/fed) by 22.27% in Gemiza 7 cultivar and by 14.93% in Sakha 94 cultivar. On the other hand, 75mg/L phenylalanine significantly increased grains yield (ardab/fed) by 19.52% in Gemiza 7 cultivar and by 16.55% in Sakha 94 cultivar. Hence, the highest significant increase in grains yield (ardab/fed) in Gemiza 7 cultivar was recorded due to 100mg/L phenylalanine. Whereas, the highest significant increase in grains yield (ardab/fed) in Sakha 94 cultivar was recorded due to 75mg/L phenylalanine. So, suggesting using phenylalanine as a biofertilizer as an alternative to chemical fertilizers.