Articles
Comparison of biochemical indicators for drought stress response in Solanum aethiopicum Shum
Article number
1422_17
Pages
131 – 144
Language
English
Abstract
The use of plant genetic resources in crop improvement provides opportunities to tap the genetic variation within to build resilience in a species. Solanum aethiopicum germplasm has exhibited inter- and intra-specific genetic variability that can be exploited to enhance abiotic stress tolerance.
An in depth understanding of drought stress effect on the plant physiological and biochemical indicators is necessary to guide the development of tolerant cultivars.
This study defined the major metabolic strategies used by drought tolerant genotypes of S. aethiopicum. It determined the effects of water deficit on plant metabolic changes and relationship between different physio-biochemical traits.
Twenty-five lines of S. aethiopicum Shum were set up in an augmented design and the vegetative stage was used to screen for physio-chemical responses (proline content, flavonoid, malondialdehyde, total phenolic content, superoxide dismutase, chlorophyll a, b and total chlorophyll content) under water deficit.
Pooled population mean values of the different physiological and biochemical responses were calculated.
The significance of the differences among control and drought stress treatments for each accession were evaluated using a two-sample unpaired t-test at 95% confidence interval.
Statistical differences significant for all genotypes under drought stressed conditions were also obtained using Duncan’s multiple range test at
=5%. A significant increase in flavonoids, proline, chlorophyll b and a decrease in total phenolic content were recorded.
Proline, flavonoid and chlorophyll b distinguished the evaluated lines into three major groups.
Accumulation of these traits is in favor of osmotic adjustment making it a relevant drought tolerance mechanism for this crop.
An in depth understanding of drought stress effect on the plant physiological and biochemical indicators is necessary to guide the development of tolerant cultivars.
This study defined the major metabolic strategies used by drought tolerant genotypes of S. aethiopicum. It determined the effects of water deficit on plant metabolic changes and relationship between different physio-biochemical traits.
Twenty-five lines of S. aethiopicum Shum were set up in an augmented design and the vegetative stage was used to screen for physio-chemical responses (proline content, flavonoid, malondialdehyde, total phenolic content, superoxide dismutase, chlorophyll a, b and total chlorophyll content) under water deficit.
Pooled population mean values of the different physiological and biochemical responses were calculated.
The significance of the differences among control and drought stress treatments for each accession were evaluated using a two-sample unpaired t-test at 95% confidence interval.
Statistical differences significant for all genotypes under drought stressed conditions were also obtained using Duncan’s multiple range test at
=5%. A significant increase in flavonoids, proline, chlorophyll b and a decrease in total phenolic content were recorded.Proline, flavonoid and chlorophyll b distinguished the evaluated lines into three major groups.
Accumulation of these traits is in favor of osmotic adjustment making it a relevant drought tolerance mechanism for this crop.
Publication
Authors
M.J. Nakanwagi, A. Nandutu, G. Sseremba, P.N. Kabod, A. Mukisa, E.B. Kizito
Keywords
Ethiopian eggplant, osmotic adjustment, drought tolerance mechanisms, pairwise mean comparisons
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