Journal of Stress Physiology &
Biochemistry, Vol.
8 No. 4
2012, pp. 110-129 ISSN 1997-0838
Original Text Copyright (cc) 2012 by Reshmi, Rajalakshmi
ORIGINAL
ARTICLE
Data source : Google Scholar
QueryDate : 2016-12-24
Cites : 2
Drought and UV stress response
in Spilanthes acmella Murr.,
(tooth-ache plant)
Reshmi G.R. and Rajalakshmi R.
Department
of Botany, University of Kerala, Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram-
695581, Kerala , India.
*E-Mail: grrechugr@gmail.com
Received July 24, 2012
In the present investigation,
experiments were conducted to investigate the growth, morphological,
anatomical and biochemical responses of UV and drought stresses in
Spilanthes acmella (toothache plant). Results were shown that both UV
and drought treatments retarded plant growth. Although there was
no significant difference in the internal structure of leaf and stem.
Morphometric changes such as curling of leaves and shiny surface due to
waxy coatings were noticed in plants grown under UV radiation however
these changes were absent in water stressed plants but yellowing was
observed in the entire leaves. Chlorophyll content and relative water
content in leaves were significantly affected by UV and drought.
Relative water content markedly increased in UV treated plants and
reduced in drought. In UV treated plants chlorophyll a, chlorophyll
band total chlorophyll contents were considerably decreased than the
drought treated plants. The carotenoid, flavonoids and anthocyanins
concentration increased in both treatments. Changes in contents
of antioxidative metabolites under the stresses were observed. Free
proline and MDA accumulations also showed significant increase in
droughttreatment than in UV treatment. During drought condition the
catalase activity decreased as compared with the control plant whereas
UV treated plants showed increase in the catalase activity.
