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Advance in Biological Research

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ArticleOpen Access http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/abr.2026.06.004

Physiological and Antioxidant Defense Responses of Wheat Genotypes Exposed to Salt Stress

Waqar Ahmad1, Muhammad Akhtar2, Muhammad Asim Qaisrani3,*

1Institute of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan 60800, Pakistan.

2Department of Plant Breeding & Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan 29230, KPK, Pakistan.

3Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan 29230, KPK, Pakistan.

*Corresponding author: Muhammad Asim Qaisrani

Published: June 30, 2026

Abstract

Salinity stress is a major limitation to wheat growth and productivity by affecting physiological and biochemical processes. This study evaluated six wheat genotypes (Fakhar-e-Bhakkar, Nawab, Akbar, Dilkash, Urooj, and Subhani) under 0, 8, and 12 dS/m NaCl levels. Chlorophyll content decreased from 40.6-35.4 SPAD under control to 24.5-17.0 SPAD under salinity stress, with Akbar (21.2 SPAD) and Urooj (20.0 SPAD) showing comparatively higher retention at 12 dS/m than Fakhar-e-Bhakkar (17.0 SPAD). RWC declined from 91.0% (Akbar) to 63.5% (Nawab), while Urooj maintained the highest RWC (72.0%) under severe stress. Proline content increased markedly from 2.7-5.0 µmol g⁻¹ FW under control to 24.0 µmol g⁻¹ FW (Dilkash) at 12 dS/m, indicating enhanced osmotic adjustment. Catalase activity rose from 12.5-16.3 to 48.0 U g⁻¹ FW (Dilkash), while superoxide dismutase activity increased from 23.0-28.0 to 76.4 U g⁻¹ FW under severe salinity stress, reflecting strong activation of antioxidant defense mechanisms. Dilkash exhibited the highest enzymatic antioxidant response, whereas Urooj and Akbar maintained comparatively better physiological stability under salinity stress, demonstrating significant genotypic variation in stress tolerance and adaptive capacity.

Keyword

Wheat; salinity stress; chlorophyll; proline; catalase; superoxide dismutase; antioxidant enzyme

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How to cite this paper

Physiological and Antioxidant Defense Responses of Wheat Genotypes Exposed to Salt Stress

How to cite this paper: Waqar Ahmad, Muhammad Akhtar, Muhammad Asim Qaisrani. (2026) Physiological and Antioxidant Defense Responses of Wheat Genotypes Exposed to Salt StressAdvance in Biological Research7(1), 37-46.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/abr.2026.06.004