Agronomical, physiological and molecular evaluation reveals superior salt-tolerance in bread wheat through salt-induced priming approach

Salt stress significantly limit wheat crop productivity worldwide. Exposure to non-lethal levels of salt stress, referred as "salt-priming", allows plants persist subsequent lethal conditions; the priming effect continues even after an extended stress-free period. This study attempted evaluate effectiveness salt-induced approach cope with toxic effects long-term salinity in wheat. After 22 days gradual acclamation reach 250 mM NaCl, were recovered for eight and finally shocked NaCl (priming+shock) 7 days. that, physiological parameters gene expression six salt-responsive genes assessed. Additionally, 120 germination (at end season), agronomic traits recorded. Analysis agronomical revealed higher salt-pretreated group than non-pretreated (shock only). Consistently, maintained photosynthetic pigments level decreased proline MDA content non-pretreated, suggesting enhanced tolerance. Moreover, sustained high expressional (TaNHX1, TaSOS1, TaSOS4, TaHKT1, TaHKT2, TaAKT1) comparing indicating a vital role ion homeostasis conferring Ultimately, this finding could facilitate novel smart approaches improve under stress.