Effect of antitranspirants on photosynthesis and nitrate reductase activity in wheat under water stress condition

Results revealed that under soil water stress condition, spraying of antitranspirants on wheat leaves increased photosynthesis, nitrate reductase activity and reduced the transpiration rate at flowering stage which resulted in higher grain yield. Foliar application of abscisfic acid (ABA) 5 ppm, chloroethyl trimethylchoride (CCC) 1000 ppm, acetyl salicylic acid (ASA) 250 ppm and Silicon 100 ppm significantly increased the photosynthesis, stomatal resistance and decreased the transpiration rate over untreated control under dry situation and exhibited higher NR-activity in leaf than untreated control at pre and post-anthesis stages while minimum NR-activity was recorded under the application of phenyl mercuric acid (PMA) at both the stages of plant growth.