Increased nitrate content, nitrate reductase activity and growth of wheat seedlings by pre-sowing seed treatment with ascorbic acid

Wheat (Triticum aestiom L. cv, HD2285) grains were soaked in water, 0.001, 0.01 or 0.1% aqueous ascorbic add solution for 8 h. The seedlings were raised in sand culture under glass house conditions and sampled at 15, 20, 25 and 30 days after sowing. Ascorbic acid treatment significantly enhanced root and shoot growth, leaf nitrate and protein contents and nitrate reductase activity. Most of the parameters studied gave optimum response to the two higher concentrations (0.01 and 0.1%) of the vitamin.