Response of barley quality traits, yield and antioxidant enzymes to water-stress and chemical inducers

Two field experiments were carried out in order to investigate the effect of chemicalinducers [benzothiadiazole 0.9 mM l-1, oxalic acid 1.0 mM l-1, salicylic acid 0.2 mM l-1] onphysiological and technological traits as well as on yields and antioxidant enzyme activities ofbarley grown under abiotic stress (i.e. water surplus and deficit conditions). Results showed thatrelative water content, leaf area, chlorophyll and yield as well as technological properties ofbarley were improved with chemical inducers application under water surplus and water-stressconditions. Antioxidant enzymes activity (i.e. catalase and peroxidase) were significantlyincreased in barley grown under water-stress and treated with chemical inducers. Yield andrelated parameters of barley presented also significant decrease under water-stress treatment,while chemical inducers application enhanced the yield-related traits. Starch and proteincontents were higher in plants treated with salicylic acid than in untreated plants when waterstress was applied. In conclusion, results show that chemical inducers application have apositive interaction and synergetic influence and should be suggested to improve plant growth,yield and technological properties of water stressed barley. Salicylic acid application was betterthan oxalic acid and benzothiadiazole in terms of plant growth and yield improvement.