Quantifying the antioxidant enzymes, NRase activities and yield traits to assess drought tolerance in mulberry

Abstract

The present study was under taken to assess the drought tolerance in four mulberry genotypes and three varieties. 120 days old mulberry plants were subjected to three water regimes viz., 100% PC, 50% PC, 25% PC for 30 days. Enzyme activities were quantified before and 30 days after drought stress. MI-0425 was found to be drought tolerant with higher catalase (5.6 µg H2O2 min-1g-1) and peroxidase (4.42 Δ 430 nm g-1 min-1) activities at moderate and severe drought stress. V1 recorded higher NRase activity both in moderate and intense water stress. Severe reduction in yield and TDMA was observed in the genotypes that recorded less enzyme activities. Susceptible MI-0613 and MI-0658 showed lesser enzyme activities with higher yield reduction (45. 96% and 36.70%). V1 recorded higher yield under drought stress. MI-0425 showed lesser reduction in yield and TDMA. Hence the study has identified MI-0425 and V1 to be drought tolerant.