ABSTRACT
Influence of exogenously sprayed growth regulators at different concentrations on grain biochemical constituents and yield traits of bread wheat

Atta El-Saber1*, Abd El Aziz Shraf1, Fatmah A. Safhi2, Nora M. Al Aboud3, Mohammed O. Alshaharni4, Eman Fayad5, Najla Amin T. Al Kashgry6, Diaa Abd El-Moneim7*, Abdel Ghany Abdel Ghany1, Gehan El-Emary1, Rahma Alshamrani8, Ameina S. ALmoshadak8, and Refaat Saber1
 
Plant growth regulators play an essential role in plants' biochemical processes. In this study, foliar spray was applied using three growth regulators, gibberellic acid (GA3), naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), and 6-benzyl amino purine (BAP), to investigate their effects on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) 'Giza-171' yield traits and grain biochemical constituents, including sugars, carbohydrates and protein. The assessed growth regulators (GA3, NAA, and BAP) were applied at 100 and 150 mg L-1 concentrations. The results indicated significant improvements in wheat grain yield and 1000-grain weight, which increased by 15.40% and 24.78%, respectively, using GA3 at 150 and 100 mg L-1. In addition, the highest contents of protein and carbohydrates were observed with samples treated by the foliar application of NAA at 150 mg L-1 and BAP at 100 mg L-1, respectively. The fat content in wheat grains increased by 1.97% and 2.73% with foliar spray with 150 mg L-1 NAA and 100 mg L-1 BAP, respectively. The lipid profile showed cis-linoleic acid was the primary fatty acid, followed by palmitic acid; the content of linoleic acid slightly increased with GA3 treatment to 50.42%, while palmitic acid significantly increased with 100 mg L-1 NAA. The total saturated and unsaturated fatty acids recorded 33.64% and 66.30%, respectively; the 150 mg L-1 NAA treatment had the lowest saturated fatty acid content. The SDS-PAGE profiles showed that growth regulators significantly enhanced the wheat protein where new bands appeared, especially in 100 mg L-1 GA3 and 100 mg L-1 BAP treatments. The applied growth regulators improved wheat yield, contents of some compounds, and nutritional value.
Keywords: BAP, biochemical evaluation, electrophoresis, fingerprint, GA3, gluten, NAA, Triticum aestivum, wheat.
1Zagazig University, Faculty of Technology and Development, Department of Water and Soil Science, Zagazig 44519, Egypt.
2Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, College of Science, Department of Biology, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia.
3Umm Al-Qura University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Makkah 24382, Saudi Arabia.
4King Khalid University, College of Science, Biology Department, Abha 61321, Saudi Arabia.
5Taif University, College of Science, Department of Biotechnology, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia.
6Taif University, College of Science, Department of Biology, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia.
7Arish University, Faculty of Environmental and Agricultural Sciences, Department of Plant Production, (Genetic Branch), El-Arish 45511, Egypt.
8King Abdulaziz University, Faculty of Science, Biology Department, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia.
*Corresponding authors (dabdelmoniem@aru.edu.eg; ataalsaber10@gmail.com).