Protein Profile in Wheat as Affected by Drought Stress and Nano-Chelate Potassium

Tolerant systems in plants including wheat are affected by several chemical factors, like nano-chelate potassium. Use of nano-chelated potassium under drought stress reduces its negative effects and increase yield. To study protein profiles of wheat under drought stress, a factorial experiment based on completely randomized design with three replications was performed. The first factore was three levels of irrigation (85%, 60% and 35% field capacity), the second factor consisted of three wheat cultivars (Zagros, Chamran and Kuhdasht) and the third factor consisted of four nano-chelated potassium concentrations (zero, 25, 45¡ 65 ppm). The results showed that concentrations of proline and carbohydrates which play a major role in plant defense mechanisms due to nano-chelated potassium treatment were increased. Catalase and butpolyphenol oxidase activity decreased with increasing concentrations of nano-chelate potassium, while peroxidase activity increased. The results of two dimentional electrophoretic studies showed changes of protein expression, due to the effect of nano-chelated potassium as a direct contact with the defensive system against drought stresses, such as 11, 6, 5, 19, 14 bands. Nano-chelated potassium is also associated with proteins involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates and protein and final energy production.