Influence of osmotic stress on the activity of endosperm amylases and biomass accumulation in seedling during different wheat varieties seed germination

The response of six common winter wheat cultivars to osmotic stress, induced by PEG 6000 (15%), was evaluated during the early seedling growth phases. On days 1, 3, 6, and 10 after germination initiation, total endosperm amylase activity was detected, as well as root and shoot dry mass, assessed on day 10 of seedling growth. In the more droughtresistant varieties, substantial activation of amylases was achieved already in the first days of exposing seeds for germination, while in the less resistant ones, the activation of amylases occurs later. After 10 days, amylase activity levels tended to equalize across all varieties. Additionally, the resistant varieties exhibited a higher biomass ratio under stress conditions. The results indicate that analyzing amylase activity and biomass accumulation under osmotic stress may serve as an effective method for classifying wheat genotypes based on their primary drought resistance.