Gibberellic acid ameliorates cadmium induced morphological and anatomical variations in Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Abstract

Present study was designed to investigate the ameliorative effect of gibberellic acid under cadmium stress in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) genotypes (Jou-17 and Haider).  Barley genotypes (Jou-17 and Haider) showed great variations in morphological as well as in anatomical parameters under cadmium stress. A pot experiment was conducted in soil filled pots. Germinated seedlings were subjected to various levels of CdCl₂ (control, 10 mM, 20 mM and 30 mM) with and without gibberellic acid (control, 0.05 mg/l). The results showed that application of gibberellic acid improved plant growth, shoot and root length, shoot and root fresh and dry weight when applied in combination with CdCl₂. Microscopic study of root and stem of both genotypes (Jou-17 and Haider) showed that gibberellic acid improved root and stem anatomy by improving epidermis and endodermis thickness, cortical cells, and vascular bundle cells area under cadmium stress. According to these findings, it is concluded that gibberellic acid has protective role on plant morphology, and root and stem anatomy under cadmium stress.