RESISTANCE DEVELOPMENT IN WHEAT SEEDLINGS AGAINST LEAD TOXICITY THROUGH TRICHODERMA HARZIANUM SEED COATING METHOD.

Abstract

A study was conducted to check if Trichoderma harzianum can develop resistance in wheat seedlings of Punjab-11 and Shafaq-06 cultivars against lead toxicity at Botany Department, Nusrat Jahan College Rabwah Pakistan. Above mentioned wheat seeds and Trichoderma fungus were taken from” National Agriculture Research Center” NARC Pakistan. Experiment was completely randomized design. Seeds after surface sterilization were coated with Trichoderma fungus and after air drying were sowed in sand cups. Lead chloride stress ( Pb1:3mM and Pb2:15mM) was given at two leaf stage of wheat seedlings. After 30 days seedlings were harvested and preserved in 50mM potassium phosphate buffer. Roots and shoots were separately preserved. Preserved roots and shoots were ground and centrifuged. Centrifuged samples were processed for various biochemical tests. Results of these tests showed great decline in hydrogen peroxide concentration and MDA content in Trichoderma coated seedlings as compared to non coated seedlings under lead stress. Total phenolics content and total protein content increased in Trichoderma treated seedlings in comparison to non treated seedlings showing eradication of harms of lead stress.