The present investigation was an attempt to verify the role of exogenous application of proline in
inducing salt tolerance in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings. NaCl (0, 50, 150 and 300 mM) concentrations
were supplemented to the germination MS medium in combination with proline (0 and 50 ppm). Exogenous
proline alleviated the reduction in germination percentage, seedling length, fresh and dry weights as well as
photosynthetic pigments caused by NaCl stress. NaCl stress (300 mM) blocked the synthesis of a 98 KDa
polypeptide that was restored by the addition of proline. Proline increased the synthesis of 112 and 48 KDa
polypeptides at all NaCl concentrations. High NaCl concentrations alone induced the synthesis of new
polypeptides of molecular weights 93 and 62 KDa. Proline was successful in protecting protein turnover
machinery and up-regulating stress protective proteins