Effect of Benzyladenine on Transpiration, Water Potential and its Components in Genotypes of Wheat Contrasting in Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant and susceptible cultivars of wheat, C-306 and Kalyan sona, growing under non-stressed and water-stressed conditions, were sprayed with benzyladenine (BA) at 70 days after sowing (DAS). Observations recorded at 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 days after spraying revealed that BA increased the rate of transpiration (TR) in C-306 under non-stressed conditions. However, under water stress, the increase was significant only after 5 days of BA spraying. In Kalyan sona BA treatment either decreased TR or did not exhibit significant increase under non-stressed conditions, but caused significant increase in TR under water stress. The increase in TR was elicited through enhanced stomatal opening. Water potential, osmotic potential and pressure potential of both genotypes decreased on account of water stress. The effect of BA was not perceptible on restoration of leaf water potential (LWP) or its components. The effect of BA was possibly confined to stomatal behaviour and transpiration.