Abstract
THE AIM of this study is to examine the effect of priming the wheat grains with definsine like protein in a trial to enhance their tolerance of Zn toxicity. The present technique was performed on two groups of wheat grains that were germinated under different concentrations of Zn. The first group included the non-primed grains and the second group included the primed grains with definsine like proteins which was extracted and purified from fenugreek seeds. Growth and somephysiological parameters of wheat seedlings were determined. Data revealed that increasing Zn concentrations in the non-primed grains reduced the growth parameters represented by germination ratio and length of both radicle and coleoptile. Also, hydrolysis processes represented by amylase, acid and alkaline phosphatase were significantly decreased, such decrease was accompanied with a decrease in soluble carbohydrates and phosphorus content. Additionally, there was a significant inhibition in the activity of the antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase. In contrast, there was an enhancement in the growth process in the definsine primed grains treated with high Zn concentrations. This was associated with a reduction in the oxidative markers such as malondialdehyde (MDA) and H2O2 content. Compared with non-primed grains, an improvement in the activity of the antioxidant enzymes and controlling the excess of the ROS were recorded but no significant effect on the hydrolyzing enzymes was found.