Impact of water deficit stress on biochemical characteristics of safflower cultivars

Abstract

Water deficit stress is one of the severe limitations of crop growth especially in arid and semiarid regions of the world as it effect the plant growth at all stages of development. In the present study, four safflower genotypes Esfahan native, Esfahan-14, PI537,598 and IL111 were tested for their growth and crop yield under water-deficit stress. A detailed biochemical analysis was carried out at various levels of irrigation to find out the genotypic variation and the activity of several enzymes known to play significant role under drought stress. A split plot experiment based on randomized complete blocks design was conducted at three levels of irrigation: 100 % (normal water requirement for safflower), 75 % and 50 %. A significant increase in the activity of SOD, CAT, GPX enzymes and the levels of ABA and proline was observed with an increase in the water stress level in the leaves of all the genotypes investigated. The highest increase in the activities of antioxidant enzymes and proline and ABA content with reduced electrolyte leakage was observed in the relatively drought tolerance native Esfahan cultivar. These results suggest that the cultivars that exhibit highest levels of antioxidant enzymes activity and proline and ABA content under water deficit conditions may provide better drought tolerance in safflower.

Salt and drought stresses in safflower: a review

“…The first two cultivars were characterized by higher proline content, which explained their tolerance to drought stress. Sajedi et al (2012) reported similar findings when they measured proline and two enzymes (P5C reductase and P5C synthetase) involved in the proline biosynthetic pathway when they screened two safflower varieties, one drought tolerant (cv. A1) and one sensitive (cv.…”

“…It can also be produced in roots and later transported to shoots to regulate stomatal movements and leaf expansion. Sajedi et al (2012) reported a significant increase in the levels of ABA which in combination with increased antioxidant enzyme activity and proline content, improved the drought tolerance of four safflower genotypes. Although, drought stress and cultivar did not affect ABA content; however, under stressed conditions, intraspecific variation was observed among safflower cultivars.…”

“…Drought stress increased the activity of CAT, SOD, and GPX enzymes in four screened safflower genotypes (Sajedi et al 2012). However, one cultivar demonstrated higher production of antioxidant enzymes among the rest safflower cultivars.…”

“…Four safflower genotypes (Esfahan native, Esfahan-14, PI537, 598, and IL111) were evaluated for the biochemical responses under water deficit conditions (Sajedi et al 2012). The first two cultivars were characterized by higher proline content, which explained their tolerance to drought stress.…”

“…Several studies have been conducted on biochemical characteristics related to antioxidant systems in safflower cultivars under water deficit conditions (Amini et al 2013;Hojati et al 2011;Sajedi et al 2012). Drought stress increased the activity of CAT, SOD, and GPX enzymes in four screened safflower genotypes (Sajedi et al 2012).…”