Effect of Salt Stress on the Seeds Germination and Seedlings Physiological Traits of TaERECTA Transgenic Wheat

PurposeTo investigate the influence of TaERECTA overexpression on salt tolerance of bread wheat.

MethodTaERECTA genetically modified (GM) wheat was used to identify the germination energy, germination rate, germination index and relative salt stress index (RSSI) of seeds, and plant wilting numbers, antioxidant enzyme activity and MDA content of fresh seedlings.

ResultCompared to control, the seeds of TaERECTA GM plants displayed higher germination energy, germination rate and germination index, whereas lower RSSI under salt stress at germination stage; fresh seedlings of GM plants showed lower plant wilting numbers and higher antioxidant enzyme activity, with significantly higher SOD activity as to control plants (P<0.05).

ConclusionThese results suggest that TaERECTA overexpression could improve salt tolerance of bread wheat after salt stress, due to the mechanism of TaERECTA promotion on the SOD activity of organelle, and other antioxidant enzymes synergistically reduce salt stress injury. Transgenic wheat lines L10 showed lower RSSI and integrally stronger ability of salt tolerance, and line L10 can be used as an important material for further investigation of TaERECTA function on salt tolerance of bread wheat.