PJB-2018-61
CYSTEINE-INDUCED ALTERATIONS IN PHYSIO-CHEMICAL PARAMETERS OF OAT (Avena sativa L. var. Scott and F-411) UNDER DROUGHT STRESS
Shagufta Perveen
Abstract
Being precursor of glutathione (GSH) biosynthesis and involvement in other metabolic processes, cysteine (Cys) has been shown to alter growth and development in some plants. In this context, we investigated Cys-induced physio-chemical alterations in oat (Avena sativa L. var. F-411 and Scott) plants under drought stress. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with three replicates per treatment. The seeds were sown in pots and after 21 days of seed germination, the plants were exposed to drought stress (50% of field capacity) while 100% field capacity served as control. Foliar spray of different concentrations (0, 10 and 20 mM) of Cys was applied on 42 day old plants. After three weeks of foliar application of Cys, data of 63 day old plants was collected for determination of various physio-chemical analyses. Drought stress significantly decreased root and shoot fresh and dry weights, root and shoot lengths, chlorophyll (Chl), ascorbic acid (AsA) and soluble protein contents, while increased leaf membrane permeability (MP), AsA and the activity of peroxidase (POD) enzyme. Foliar application of 10 mM Cys increased shoot fresh weight, root dry weight, shoot and root length, total leaf area per plant, relative water contents (%), total free amino acids, glycinebetaine, total phenolics, anthocyanins, flavonoid contents and activity of peroxidase enzyme in var. F-411 under drought stress to overcome drought-induced damages. However, in var. Scot 20 mM Cys induced drought tolerance by increasing root length, chl. ‘a’ and ‘b’ contents, AsA, total phenolics, anthocyanins, flavonoid and free amino acid contents. Of the two oat varieties, var. F-411 proved better than that of Scot variety under both drought and non-stressed conditions, and thus could be grown under semi-arid environments.
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