Drought-induced biochemical modifications and proline metabolism in Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench.

The research was performed to define the effect of water deficit on early growth, biomass allocation and biochemical constituents, proline metabolism and yield of five varieties of bhendi (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench.) plants. We found that there were significant differences in early growth, dry matter accumulation, biochemical constituents and proline metabolism among the five varieties. The root length, shoot length, total leaf area, fresh weight and dry weight were significantly reduced under drought-induced stress treatment. The proline content and g-glutamyl kinase were significantly enhanced and proline oxidase activities were reduced. Drought stress caused an increase in the free amino acid and glycinebetaine content

Alterations in seedling vigour and antioxidant enzyme activities in Catharanthus roseus under seed priming with native diazotrophs

An experiment was conducted on Catharanthus roseus to study the effect of seed treatments with native diazotrophs on its seedling growth and antioxidant enzyme activities. The treatments had significant influence on various seedling parameters. There is no significant influence on dry matter production with the diazotrophs, Azospirillum and Azotobacter. However, the vital seedling parameters such as germination percentage and vigour index were improved. Azotobacter treatment influenced maximum of 50% germination, whereas Azospirillum and Azotobacter were on par with C. roseus with respect to their vigour index. There was significant difference in the population of total diazotrophs. Azospirillum and Azotobacter between rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soils of C. roseus had the same trend and were observed at various locations of the study. The activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POX) and catalase (CAT) were increased to a significant extent due to the treatment with diazotrophs