Response of salt stressed barley seedlings to phenylurea

Abstract

The effect of phenylurea with reported cytokinin-like activities on seed germination, seedling growth, activities of antioxidant enzymes, polyphenol, peroxidase, indoleacetic acid oxidase, and total phenolic compounds, flavonoids was investigated in stressed barley seedlings. The application of phenylurea decreases the activity of peroxidase, indoleacetic acid oxidase and increases the activity of polyphenol oxidase with decrease in total phenolic compounds and flavonoids and consequent increase in growth rate. Saline (NaCl) stress in barley seedlings causes an increase in total phenolic compounds, flavonoids and enhancement of peroxidase and indoleacetic acid oxidase activities and consequent decrease in growth rate. The adverse effect of salt stress on germination, antioxidant enzymes, phenolic compounds, flavonoids can partially be rectified by phenylurea.