PROLINE ACCUMULATION IN WHEAT SEEDLINGS SUBJECTED TO VARIOUS STRESSES

Proline accumulates when germinating wheat seeds (Triticum aestivum L. , cv Mehran-89) are subjected to abiotic or biotic stresses. Seedlings , raised under salinity (NaCl), water (PEG-6000), darkness or herbicid e stresses exhibited enhanced proline levels and shoot and root length s were variabily affected. Proline level was also increased when rust (Puccinia recondita f. sp. triticini) infected mature leaves were comp ared with healthy leaves. These observations indicate that proline acc umulation, as a physiological trait for salinity/drought tolerance, ne eds to be viewed with caution.