Growth, biochemical modifications and proline metabolism in Helianthus annuus L. as induced by drought stress

In the present investigation, two watering treatments, viz., 100% and 60% field capacity (FC) were used to understand the effects of water deficit on early growth, biomass allocation, pigment and biochemical constituents and proline metabolism of five varieties of Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) plants. We found that there was a significant difference in early growth, dry matter accumulation, pigment, biochemical constituents and proline metabolism among the five varieties. The root length, shoot length, total leaf area, fresh and dry weight, chlorophyll a, b, total chlorophyll and carotenoid were significantly reduced under water stress treatments. Water stress increased the proline, free amino acid and glycinebetaine contents along with increased activity of gamma-glutamyl kinase but the activity of proline oxidase reduced as a consequence of water stress. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.