Global Journal of Biology, Agriculture & Health Sciences

Abstract

EFFECT OF WATER STRESS ON NUTRIENT CONTENT AND THEIR UPTAKE IN INDIAN MUSTARD[Brassica juncea (L.) Czern and Coss] GENOTYPES

Dr Chitta Ranjan Sahoo, Dr Manasi Dash & Dr N. Acharya

The mustard crop, during its ontogeny, is observed to face the effect of moisture stress of various degrees, especially at different growth stages of crop leading to drastic reduction in production and productivity. Four varieties of Indian mustard viz., Pusa Bahar, Varuna, Pusa Jai Kisan and Pusa Agrani were used to study the biochemical response to water stress. Water stress was imposed by withholding irrigation at 3 different stages of crop growth i.e., vegetative (S1), reproductive (S2) and pod-filling (S3) stage. The total chlorophyll content, nitrate reductase activity (NRA) and starch content decreased significantly in all the varieties irrespective of stress at different growth stages, the maximum reduction was observed at pod filling stage. The maximum impact of water stress on total chlorophyll content was observed at pod filling stage (35.68- 44.81%) among the cultivars. The total chlorophyll content decreased a maximum in cv. Pusa Agrani and minimum in Pusa Jai Kisan. Proline accumulation increased in all the test varities irrespective of stress at different growth stages, maximum accumulation was observed at reproductive stage. Cultivar Varuna registered the maximum prolin accumulation. Total chlorophyll and proline content can be considered as the desirable traits for screening the cultivars for drought prone environments.

Published Date: 2014-12-12;