Field assessment of CaMsrB2 transgenic lines in a drought stress environment

Two drought-tolerant transgenic rice lines, L-8 (single copy) and L-23 (two copy), expressing the Capsicum annuum methionine sulfoxide reductase B2 (CaMsrB2) gene were selected for stress tolerance phenotyping under drought stress conditions. The two transgenic lines were selected on the basis of laboratory experiments and for performing well against drought. Field assessment of CaMsrB2 transgenic lines L-23 and L-8 in a drought stress environment was conducted. For the assessments, small plots were prepared at the Department of Botany of the University of Karachi to test the physiological response of transgenic lines. Relative water content, quantum yield (Fv/Fm ratio), photochemical quenching (qP) photosynthetic pigments, and performance index were high in transgenic lines compared to the wild type (WT). Antioxidant enzymes as represented by catalase and superoxide dismutase activities were increased while H2O2 production was decreased in transgenic lines compared to the WT. The results are discussed with special reference to physiological response of the transgenic lines against drought in field conditions.