Role of hydroxyl benzoic acid foliar spray on amelioration of lead tolerance on Triticum aestivum L

Heavy metal pollution of water and soil has become a global issue, which extensively effect the major cereal crops and human health in the world. Current study aimed to conduct the role of exogenously applied Hydroxyl Benzoic Acid (HBA) foliar spray on agronomic and physicochemical parameters of two varieties of Triticum aestivum L. i.e. Jhanbaz and Galaxy 2013 under the lead (heavy metal) stress. Leaves of the above plants were treated (after 7, 14, 21 days) with distilled water (control), 2ppm Pb2+ (T1), 2ppm Pb2+ +HBA (T2),4 ppm Pb2+ (T3), and 2ppm Pb2+ +HBA (T4) and response of plants was observed at first, second and third week of the germination. Results of the lead (Pb2+) treatment of 4ppm and 2ppm showed high adverse effect on physiochemical and growth performance. Whereas HBA foliar spray revealed better performance by improving seedling vigorous index, agronomic parameters and percent field capacity under application of lead at 4ppm and 2ppm. This indicated that the toxic effects generated by heavy metal stress were relatively overcome by the application of HBA. However, results exhibited the better growth and physicochemical performance were recorded in Jhanbaz as compared to Galaxy 2013 and recommended variety under induced lead stress (lead).