This study investigated the role of foliar-applied proline in mitigating drought-induced damage in two wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties, Subhani-21 and Dilkash-20, grown under 100% and 40% field capacity. Proline was applied as a foliar spray at concentrations of 50 and 100 mM. Plants were assessed for growth attributes, photosynthetic pigments, osmolyte accumulation, antioxidant enzyme activities, and ion homeostasis. Drought stress markedly reduced shoot and root growth, biomass accumulation, and chlorophyll content. Exogenous proline significantly alleviated these adverse effects, with 100 mM proving most effective. Proline-treated plants under water deficit exhibited notable increases in chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, and carotenoids, indicating improved photosynthetic stability. Furthermore, proline application enhanced the accumulation of endogenous proline, soluble proteins, and phenolic compounds, along with increased activities of key antioxidant enzymes (SOD, POD, and CAT), reflecting improved oxidative stress tolerance. Enhanced accumulation of potassium (K⁺) and reduced accumulation of sodium (Na⁺) suggested better ionic balance under drought conditions. Correlation analysis revealed strong positive associations among growth parameters, pigment content, osmolytes, and antioxidant responses, supporting a coordinated proline-mediated stress tolerance mechanism. Overall, foliar application of proline, particularly at 100 mM, effectively enhanced drought resilience in wheat through integrated physiological and biochemical adjustments. These findings highlight the potential of proline as a practical strategy to improve wheat performance under water-limited conditions.
Anmol et al. (Thu,) studied this question.
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