Assessing biochemical changes in exogenous application of osmoprotectants in amelioration of water stress in black gram (Vigna mungo L.)

Abstract

The study was carried out for assessing the efficacy of exogenous applications of osmoprotectants - proline, glycine betaine, trehalose, mannitol in alleviating the adverse effects of water stress in blackgram. The seed material VBN (Bg) 4 was used for the study. Water stress was imposed for 7 days on 25 DAS followed by exogenous application of different osmolytes. On 35 DAS, the samples were analysed for biochemical attributes – proline, soluble proteins, catalase and peroxidase and physiological attributes – chlorophyll content, chlorophyll stability index and relative water content. Growth attributing parameters and yield attributing parameters were recorded at the time of maturity. Exogenous application of all osmoprotectants contributed in overcoming water stress and stress tolerance. However, specifically, the treatment with proline has greater impact on enhancing photosynthetic activity; Exogenous application of all osmoprotectants have resulted in increase in the activity of catalase and peroxidase and treatment with glycine betaine has enhanced catalase activity and treatment with mannitol has enhanced peroxidase activity. Based on yield attributes treatment with proline had an increased number of clusters/ plant and number of pods/plant and mannitol treatment yield maximum 100 seed weight.