Abstract
Aims The purpose of this study is to provide a priming application with plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid (2,3-DHBA) to tolerate salinity stress in wheat. Methods Effects of six different irrigation water salinity (0.38, 2, 4, 7, 10, 15 dS/m) and three different priming practices (control, 2,3-DHBA and PGPR) on antioxidant enzyme activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, proline contents, photosynthetic capacity and growth characteristics were investigated. Results Salt stress caused a decrease in germination rate, tillering number, yield parameters, stomata, chlorophyll and carotenoid contents. Among the treatments, PGPR increased the germination rate and fresh weight by 5.20% and 12.10%, respectively, compared to the control. In addition, PGPR increased catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase and superoxide dismutase enzyme activities by 16.35%, 14.04%, 71.87% and 16.35%, respectively, while 2,3-DHBA only increased guaiacol peroxidase activity by 7%. PGPR also decreased MDA content by 29.62% and increased proline content by 23.23%. Conclusions PGPR application more effectively alleviated germination, plant growth and development in high salinity conditions. Thus, it was concluded that using PGPR together with plant growth regulators might be beneficial in order to tolerate salinity stress for different plants.