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Exogenous Sulphydryl Improves Membrane Stabilization, Photosynthesis and Antioxidant Defense Systems in Vigna aconitifolia L. Under Water Stress

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Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A 2-year (2010–2011) field experiment was conducted under hot arid environment at Bikaner, India to investigate the effects of exogenous sulphydryl (–SH) compounds (thioglycolic acid and thiourea) on the water relation, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, membrane stability, photosynthetic pigment contents, gas exchange parameters and antioxidant enzyme activities in moth bean (Vigna aconitifolia L.) under water limiting environment. Foliar application of –SH compounds significantly reduced MDA content and increased membrane stability, photosynthetic pigment content, gas exchange parameters and antioxidant enzyme activities. The –SH treated plants had 9–14, 10–14, 17–25, 16–74, 14–37% higher relative water content, membrane stability index, total chlorophyll content, antioxidant enzyme activities, and net photosynthetic rate (PN), respectively, whereas the MDA content was 12–21% lower, as compared to non-treated plants. Results suggest that under water limiting situation, exogenous –SH compound application improves photosynthesis, protects plants against oxidative damage by scavenging ROS and minimizing MDA content by elevated antioxidant enzyme activities. Results indicate that exogenous –SH application enhances the activities of antioxidant enzymes and maintains higher photosynthetic rate under water limiting environment and thus helps to improve drought tolerance in moth bean.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Director, CAZRI for providing funds and necessary facilities to carry out the study, and B. M. Yadav and Bharu Singh for their assistance in data collection and laboratory work. The facilities provided by In-charge, Plant Biotechnology Centre, SKRAU, Bikaner are duly acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Regional Research Station, Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Bikaner, 334 004, India

    N. S. Nathawat, V. S. Rathore, B. Meel & S. Bhardwaj

  2. Central Institute of Arid Horticulture, Bikaner, Rajasthan, 334006, India

    R. Bhargava

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  1. N. S. Nathawat
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  2. V. S. Rathore
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  3. B. Meel
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Correspondence to N. S. Nathawat.

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Nathawat, N.S., Rathore, V.S., Meel, B. et al. Exogenous Sulphydryl Improves Membrane Stabilization, Photosynthesis and Antioxidant Defense Systems in Vigna aconitifolia L. Under Water Stress. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., India, Sect. B Biol. Sci. 88, 875–885 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40011-016-0825-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40011-016-0825-9

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