Water stress induced proline accumulation in contrasting wheat genotypes as affected by calcium and abscisic acid

Proline accumulation and mobilization in roots of 7-d-old seedlings of wheat genotypes varying in sensitivity towards water stress were compared. Water stress was induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG-6000; osmotic potential -1.5 MPa) in the presence of 0.1 mM abscisic acid (ABA), 1 mM calcium chloride, 0.5 mM verapamil (Ca2+ channel blocker), 0.5 mM fluridone (inhibitor of ABA biosynthesis). While both the genotypes did not differ in total proline accumulation, rate of proline accumulation and utilization was higher in tolerant genotype C 306 as compared to susceptible genotype HD 2380. The treatment with ABA and CaCl2 caused further increase in proline accumulation during stress and reduced its mobilization during recovery. The membrane stability and elongation rate of roots was observed to be higher at ABA and calcium treatment in both the genotypes under stress. As was evident from inhibitor studies, the tolerant genotype was more responsive to ABA and the susceptible one to calcium.