AN INVESIGATION ON THE DROUGHT STRESS

TOLERANCE POTENTIAL OF
PHASEOLUS VULGARIS L. AND VIGNA RADIATA L.

UNIVERSITY OF KERALA
2011 – 2013
 AN INVESIGATION ON THE DROUGHT STRESS
TOLERANCE POTENTIAL OF PHASEOLUS VULGARIS L. AND
VIGNA RADIATA L.

Dissertation submitted to the University of Kerala in partial

fulfillment of the requirements for the award of
Master of Science Degree in Botany.

by
CHINTHU. R.V
Candidate code : 11131003
Subject code :

DEPARTMENT OF BOTANY
SREENARAYANA COLLEGE
CHERTHALA
2013
 AN INVESIGATION ON THE DROUGHT STRESS
TOLERANCE POTENTIAL OF PHASEOLUS VULGARIS L. AND
VIGNA RADIATA L.

Dissertation submitted to the University of Kerala in partial

fulfillment of the requirements for the award of
Master of Science Degree in Botany.

Name of the candidate : CHINTHU R.V

Candidate code : 11131003
Exam code :
Course code :
Subject code :

DEPARTMENT OF BOTANY
SREE NARAYANA COLLEGE, CHERTHALA
UNIVERSITY OF KERALA
2011-2013
AN INVESIGATION ON THE DROUGHT STRESS TOLERENCE
POTENTIAL OF PHASEOLUS VULGARIS L.AND
VIGNA RADIATA L.

The Dissertation to be submitted to the University of Kerala in partial

fulfillment of the requirements for the
DEGREE OF
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN BOTANY

SUBMITTED BY
CHINTHU.R.V
Reg.no :
POST GRADUATE DEPARTMENT OF BOTANY
SREE NARAYANA COLLEGE
2013
 AN INVESIGATION ON THE DROUGHT STRESS
TOLERANCE POTENTIAL OF PHASEOLUS VULGARIS L. AND
VIGNA RADIATA L.

DEPARTMENT OF BOTANY
2013
 CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that the dissertation entitled “AN INVESIGTION ON

THE DROUGHT STRESS TOLERANCE POTENTIAL OF PHASEOLUS
VULGARIS L. AND VIGNA RADIATA L. submitted to KERALA
UNIVERSITY,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM in partial fulfillment of the
requirements for the award of Master of Science in Botany is a record of original
research work done by Miss CHINTHU R.V during the period of her study in the
Department of botany Sree Narayana College, Cherthala under my guidance and
supervision and the dissertation has not been formed on the basis for the record of
any degree/ diploma/ fellowship or similar title to any candidate of any other
university.

Mr. Shal Chandran

Asst. Professor

Dept. of Botany

Sree Narayana College, Cherthala

Forwarded by

Dr.Vinod Haridas

Head, Department of Botany

S N College, Cherthala
 DECLARATION

I hereby declare that the work presented in the project entitled “AN
INVESIGTION ON THE DROUGHT STRESS TOLERANCE POTENTIAL
OF PHASEOLUS VULGARIS L. AND VIGNA RADIATA L. is based on the
original research works carried under the guidance of Mr. Shal Chandran, Asst.
Professor, Department of Botany and no part of this work has been presented for
the award of any other degree or diploma.

CHINTHU R.V
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I expressed my sincere gratitude to Mr. Shal Chandran, Asst. Professor

Department of Botany under whose guidance this work was carried out, for his
excellent guidance and constant encouragement extended to me at every stage of
this work. I also express my sincere gratitude to all my teachers in the Department
of Botany, S N College Cherthala.

I am thankful to Dr. D. Murali Principal S N College Cherthala and

Dr.Vinod Haridas, Head, Department of Botany for their valuable suggestion and
support given to me during this work.

Above all I am thankful to the God almighty for the blessings showered
upon me.

CHINTHU.R.V
 ABSTRACT
Drought is one of the most severe problems in worldwide agricultural
production. Seed germination is critical and governs the later growth and yield of
the plant. The drought stress studies were carried out in two species of Pea plants
viz. PHASEOLUS VULGARIS L. AND VIGNA RADIATA L. which make the
food more proteinacious. In addition, PHASEOLUS VULGARIS L. AND VIGNA
RADIATA L. have many medicinal properties.

The in vitro drought was induced in these plant seeds by using different
levels of polyethylene glycol (PEG) i.e., 5%, 10%, 15% and control. Observations
on the seed germination parameters were made after 48 hours of sowing. The seed
germination percentage of both Phaseolus vulgaris L and Vigna radiata L. was not
much affected upon drought stress as compared to their control. But the embryonic
root growth was much affected in the case of. Vigna radiata L. as compared to
Phaseolus vulgaris L. This showed the high drought withstanding potential of
Phaseolus vulgaris L. The proline and total sugar content was increased
significantly in Phaseolus vulgaris L. as compared to Vigna radiata L. upon
drought stressed condition. Thus the result of this study denotes the drought
tolerance potential of Phaseolus vulgaris L.

Key words

 Drought stress
 PEG
 Seed germination
 Proline
 sugar
 CONTENT
CONTENT PAGE NO

INTRODUCTION

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

SCOPE OF THE STUDY

OBJECTIVES

MATERIALS AND METHODS

RESULT AND DISCUSSION

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

 AN INVESIGATION ON THE DROUGHT STRESS
TOLERANCE POTENTIAL OF PHASEOLUS VULGARIS L. AND
VIGNA RADIATA L.
 1. INTRODUCTION

Phaseolus vulgaris L.
It is the common bean and is a herbaceous annual plant grown worldwide for
its edible bean popular both dry and as a green bean. The leaf is occasionally used
as a leaf vegetable and straw is used for fodder. Beans, Squash, Maize constitutes
the “Three sisters” that provide the foundation of native American agriculture. Its
other common names are Dwarf bean, Field bean, French bean, Garden bean,
Kidney bean etc

Botanically the common bean is classified as a dicotyledon. Beans are

legumes, so they acquire their nitrogen through an association with Rhizobia
species of nitrogen fixing bacteria. Beans come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes
and colors. The colour ranges from pink to black to white.

The main difference between wild and cultivated beans are, well domestic
beans are less exciting of course there is a significant increase in the seed weight
and the seed pods are less likely to shatter than wild forms but the primary change
in the decrease in variability of grain size, seed coat thickness and water intake
during cooking. Domestic plants are annuals than perennials increasing their
reliability. Common bean is native to Mesoamerica. Now the plant is grown all
around the world.
Scientific Classification
Kingdom - Plantae

Class - Dicotyledonae

Sub class - Polypetalae

Series - Calyciflorae

Order - Rosales

Family - Leguminosae

Subfamily - Fabaceae / Papilionaceae

Distributional range

Native:

 Northern America
 Northern Mexico: Mexico, Durango , Sinaloa ,Tamaulipas

 Southern Mexico: Mexico, Chiapas, Jalisco, Oaxaca

 Southern America

 Mesoamerica: Costa Rica, Guatemala, Jalapa, Santa Rosa

 Northern South America : Venezuela, Merida

 Western South America : Bolivia, Tarja

 Southern South America : Argentina - Salta, Tucuman

Description

It is a highly polymorphic species, annual herb, erect and bushy, 20-60 cm

taller twinning with 2-3 cm long with a taproot & nitrogenous nodules. Leaves
alternate, green/purple ,trifoliate, stipulate, petiolate, a marked pulvinus at the base,
leaflets ovate ,acuminate 6-5 cm long, 3-11 cm wide, flowers in lax axillary few
flowered(12) racemes, zygomorphic, variegated white, pink ,or purplish. Pods are
slender, green yellow, black or purple, cylindrical or flat, 8-20 cm long, 1 – 1.5 cm
wide. Seeds are usually glabrous, sometimes puberulent, white, red, purple grey or
black in color. They are reniform, up to 1.5 cm long, and endosperm absent.

Ecology
Beans tolerate most environmental conditions in tropical and temperate
zones but do poorly in very wet tropics where rain causes diseases and flower drop.
Rain is undesirable when dry seeds are harvested. Frost kills plant. There are both
short day &day neutral plant. Excessive water will injure plants in a few hours.
Some black – seeded will grow well in standing water. Beans grow best in well
drained, sandy loam or clay loam soils, rich in organic content, but are sensitive to
concentrations of A, B, Mn, and Na. Below pH 5.2 Mn toxicity may be a problem.

Cultivation
In temperate areas, seed should be planted about the same time as corn,

when soil has become warm. Germination is rapid at soil temperatures above 18 ͦ c.

Wider spacing facilities weeding during cultivation. Seed of good quality is

essential for production of dry beans. Beans are usually planted 5-8 cm deep, deep
enough to give good coverage and sufficient moisture to promote fast germination
and growth. Plant should be cultivated to control weeds; inoculation of seed with
N2 fixing bacteria is unnecessary for dry beans. Still as much as 25 MT/ha
barnyard manure is recommended. Bush beans are planted 30 x 30 or 50-60x 5-10
cm, the latter permitting easier cultivation.

Harvesting
Beans mature very quickly and green beans may be harvested 4-6 weeks
after sowing. In early snap bean, harvest begins in 7-8 weeks, one or two weeks
after flowering. Beans should be picked every 3-4 days. Bush beans mature over a
short time. Dry beans should be harvested when most pods are fully mature and
have turned color .In the third world , beans are usually hand harvested are , or
manually gathered and withdrawed. Plants are pulled, dried and threshed.
Sometimes beans are hand shelled.

Chemistry
Beans are high nutritive, relatively low cost protein food. Analysis of dried
beans marketed under the name ‘Raj mah’ gave the following values

Moisture - 12.0%

Protein - 22.9 %

Fat - 1.3%

Carbohydrate - 60.6%

Minerals - 3.2%

Ca - 260mg

Phosphorous - 410mg

Iron - 5.8 mg
Medicinal use
Common bean is an excellent remedy against hydropsy diseases concerning
heart, kidney and bladder dysfunctions. Bean pod tea can help in cases of spasms
of difficulty with urination and can help body remove the harmful toxins. It is
useful as remedy against uric acid accumulation and loss of albumin in the urine
during pregnancy .Consumption of tea made from the bean pods can provide
considerable help for those suffer from hyperglycemia. In addition, it can act as
prevention against diabetes used externally. Bean flour can be beneficial in
treatment of various skin conditions, such as acne, eczema, sores and ulcers.

Toxicity
The roots are reported to cause giddiness in human beings and animals.
Seeds are reported to contain trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitors. After eating
only a few raw beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) or dried beans (Phaseolus coccineus )
,3 boys 4-8 years old rapidly developed symptoms of poisoning , notably sickness
and diarrhea, a toxalbumin destroyed by cooking was considered responsible .All
boys had normal aminotransferase values and parental treatment with fluid
&electrolytes let to complete recovery in 12-24 hours.

Other uses
In temperate regions the green immature pods are cooked and eaten as a
vegetable.
Immature pods are marketed fresh, frozen or canned, whole cut or french
cut.
In lower latitudes, dry beans furnish a large portion of the protein needs of
low and middle class families.
 In tropics, leaves are used as a pot herb and to lesser extent the green shelled
beans are eaten.
Also medicinally used for acne, bladder, burns, cardiac, carminative,
depurative,diabetes,diarrhoea,dropsy,dysentery,eczema,emoilent,itch,kidney
resolvent, rheumatism, sciatica & tenesmus etc

Vigna radiata L.

The mung bean, Vigna radiata L. has been grown in India since ancient
times. It is still grown in Southeast Asia, Africa, South America, and Australia. It
is also reffered to as green gram and golden gram. Mung beans are grown widely
for use as a human food (as dry beans or fresh sprouts). But can be used as a green
manure crop and as forage for livestock. Virtually all the domestic production of
mung bean is in Oklahoma.15-20million pounds of mung bean are consumed
annually in the United States and nearly 75%of this is imported.

Scientific Classification

Kingdom - Plantae

Class - Dicotyledonae

Sub class - Polypetalae

Series - Calyciflorae

Order - Rosales

Family - Leguminosae

Subfamily - Fabaceae / Papilionaceae

Description

Mung bean plants look like a garden bean being about 24-30 inches tall and
having a moderate number of branches with smaller leaves. Pods are 3-4 inches
long. There are several pod clustered at a leaf axil, with typically 30-40 pods per
plant. The pods turn darker in color as they planted in early June, the crop will
begin to flower in 50-60 days, and then continue flowering for a few weeks. The
crop is usually ready to harvest in early to mid September. Leaves will dry down
but may not drop off completely.

Mung bean is fairly well adapted to sandy loam soils and dry conditions,
which gives it a competitive advantage in places like Oklahoma. In Missori, its
most competitive niche is on droughty soils.

Ecology

Mung beans are a warm season crop requiring 90-120 days of frost free
conditions from planting to maturity(depends on variety). Adequate rain fall is
required from flowering to late pod fill in order to ensure good yield. Mung beans
do best on fertile sandy, loam soils with good internal drainage. Performance is
best on soils with a pH between 6.2 -7.2. Mung beans do not generally require
insecticide sprays to control problems in the field. Seed corn maggot & wire
worms could attack the seeds in the early germination period and reduce stand
under certain conditions. If the field has been previously inoculated with proper
Rhizobium for N2 fixation, additional N2 is not required.
Cultivation

Mung beans should ideally be planted in early June although planting dates
from the latter part of May though mid June are appropriate. A seedling rate of
15pounds per acre is recommended for wide rows and up to 20 pounds per acre
should be planted if narrow rows are used. Depth could be 1.5 inches in sandy
soils.

Harvest and Storage

For the whole seed market quality of the seed is important so, care in harvest
and post harvest handling may be important to avoid cracked or split seed. Mung
beans can be direct combined using a platform head or a row crop head. The grain
should be stored at around 12% moisture or less.

Nutritional value per 100g.

Carbohydrates - 62.62g

Sugars - 6.60g

Dietary fiber - 16.3g

Fat - 1.15g

Protein - 23.86g

Vitamin C - 4.8mg (6%)

Calcium - 132mg (13%)

Magnesium - 189mg (53%)

Phosphorus - 367mg(52%)

Potassium - 1246mg (27%)

Medicinal value

Mung bean is native to India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Mung bean has got
many health benefits. They are seeds of the pulse plant Vigna radiata. The seed is
green in color along with the outer covering husk but, when the husk is removed, it
is yellow in color.

Mung bean is a wonderful that helps in reducing weight. It has got high
protein and fiber content that can help to bring down the cholesterol level in
the body.
Mung bean sprouts are rich in vitamin A, B, C &E and are perfect source of
minerals such as potassium, Iron and calcium.
The sprouts are considered as a cooling food with anti cancerous properties
according to Chinese medicine.
They are used to treat inflammations, that can arise as result of infections,
hypertension and heart strokes.
Mung beans have high fiber content that yield complex carbohydrates,
which helps in digestion.
The complex carbohydrates balance the blood sugar levels in the body and
halt the rise of sugar levels just after meal consumption. Thus these are very
good for people suffering from high cholesterol of diabetes.
Mung bean extensively used in the preparation of dishes in China, India,
Korea &Thailand.
They are eaten whole as sprouts & used to make desserts and soups
The starch extracted from mung bean is used in making noodles and jellies.
Other uses

Mung beans used in several food products both as a whole seed and in
processed forms. Whole seeds are sold for use in soup mixes or to produce bean
sprouts for salads. Like most legumes mung beans are relatively high in protein
around 25% of the seed by weight.

Since mung beans are relatively high priced seed, it is not cost effective to
feed, good quality seed to live stock, splits however cracked seed, and other
material left after cleaning mung beans are often fed to cattle. Whole cooked mung
beans are generally prepared from dried beans by boiling until they are soft. Mung
bean paste can be made by cooking and pulverizing the beans to a dry paste.

Mung bean sprouts are germinated by leaving them in water for four hours
of day time light and spending the rest of the day in the dark. Mung bean sprouts
can be grown under artificial light for four hours over the period of a week. Thus
are usually simply called “Bean sprouts”.

Starch which is extracted from ground mung beans, used to make

transparent cellophane noodles become soft and slippery when they are soaked in
hot water. A variation of cellophane noodles called mung bean sheets or green
bean sheets are also available.
 2. REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Drought is the most severe stress and main cause of significant loss in
growth, productivity of crop plants and finally their yields (Dimerevska et.al
2008). Drought affects morphological, physiological, biochemical and molecular
processes in plants resulting in growth inhibition, stomatal closure with
consecutive reduction of transpiration decrease in chlorophyll contents and
inhibition of photosynthesis and protein changes. (Lawlor and Cornic 2002; Zhu
2002).

Drought stress affects physiological processes both at whole plant and at

cellular level (Morgan 1984). The improper utilization of absorbed light energy
during drought stress leads to an enhanced production of free radicals. These free
radicals cause lipid peroxidation and membrane deterioration in plants
( Chandrasekhara and Vijnanabhaiah 1993) and inhibit the protein synthesis by
hydrolysis of mRNA (Corcuera et.al 1989). Moreover, the enhanced activity of
lipoxygenase during drought catalyse the dioxygenation of polyunsaturated
fattyacids containing a cis 1-4 pentadiene backbone , producing hydro peroxy fatty
acids , which are highly reactive compounds that are toxic to cells ( Bird and
Draper 1984; Siedow 1991).

There are various adaptive mechanisms of plants towards drought. Plants

pose very efficient reactive oxygen species scavenging system that protect them
from destructive oxidative reaction. There are many enzymes that play an active
role in the free radical scavenging process of which peroxidase plays significant
role. Peroxidases include guaiacol peroxidases (G P X) and ascorbate peroxidases
which are involved in the efficient scavenging of H2O2 mainly in the cytosol
( Zhang and Kirkham 1996). Guaiacol peroxidases have specificity with respect to
an electron donor, but ascorbate peroxidases are characterized by the high degree
of specificity of ascorbate as the electron donor.(Asada et.al. 1993).

The maintenance of plant water potential during water deficit is essential for
continuous growth and can be achieved by osmotic adjustment mechanism
resulting from the accumulation of compatible solutes such as proline, glycine,
betaine, organic acids, sugars such as mannitol and sucrose in the cytoplasm
(Ingram and Barteis 1996; Hare et.al 1998). Proline acts as an osmolyte because it
can accumulate to high concentrations within the cell, without damaging cellular
macromolecules and thus protecting them from drought stress –induced damage
(Hare et.al 1998). Osmotic adjustment produced by proline causes a drop in
osmotic potential in plant tissues (Hare and Cress 1997; Nanjo et.al 1999),
allowing the leaves to withstand a greater evaporative stress and without loss of
turgor (Holbrook and Putz 1996). Moreover , proline can also serve as a nitrogen
carbon source in the cell (Chianga and Dandekar 1995; Verbrugger et.al 1996),
prevent membrane damage and protein denaturation during severe drought
stress(An – Lhout et.al 2001 )and replenishes the NADP+ supply in altered redox
potential state (Hare and Cress 1997; Hare et.al 1999).The accumulation of
proline has been shown to protect plants against damage by reactive oxygen
species by effectively scavenging hydroxyl radicals ( Smirnoff and Cumbes 1989 ).
Proline is also found to be an excellent quencher for singlet oxygen (O2-) (Matysik
et.al 2002).
 3. SCOPE OF THE STUDY

As a result of various abiotic and biotic stresses there is a heavy loss in crop
reported as in various vegetable crops, the scientific community is always look out
for stress tolerant crop species / variants. These stress tolerant crop species are
generated through various techniques, of which the biochemical approach plays a
major role.So it has become essential to have information regarding the drought
stress tolerance potential of various Pea species. This will ensure that the
cultivation of these species will not turn out to be a failure in the middle of the
growing season and thus can ensure productivity.
 3. OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the study includes

1. Collecting seeds of selected Pea species.

2. Preliminary in vitro screening studies based on the seed germination

pattern of these pea varieties in drought stressed and unstressed
conditions.

3. Analyzing the drought stress tolerance potential, including non enzymatic

mechanism adopted by these species under stressed condition.
 4. MATERIALS AND METHODS

The Plant materials

Seeds of two pea plants viz., and Phaseolus vulgaris and Vigna radiata were
collected from Cherthala. The seeds were sown in soil mixed with cow dung. after
30 days the plantlets were transferred to polythene bags containing sand, soil, cow
dung in a ratio of 1:2:1.(Fig 1a &1b)

Methods
Induction of drought by using PEG

The different concentration of poly ethylene glycol (o, 5%,10%,15%) were

prepared. These medium were poured in to appropriately labelled petriplates. Pea
seeds from each species (10 in number) and controls were transferred to
corresponding concentrations of PEG in aseptic condition on to a Whatman filter
platform. After 24 hour of incubation the seedling were screened for germination
properties as well as for their growth rate (fig.2a&2b). Investigations on
germination were carried out with reference to the following parameters.
Germination percentage and root growth

The germination percentage was calculated using the formula.

Germination percentage = No of seeds germinated X 100

Total no of seeds sawn

Embryonic root growth was measured by using a standard scale.

Induction of Drought

Drought was imposed to one set of 12 plants by withholding irrigation where

as the other set of 12 plants were kept as control. (fig 3a &3b). After
acclimatization to this condition for 10 days, the leaves were excised and collected
in labelled polythene bags for various analysis.

Estimation of Total Sugar

Total sugar content was estimated by using the method of Dubois et.al (1956).
0.5 g of tissue was homogenized in 10 ml of 70% ethanol and centrifuged at
10,000 rpm for 15 minutes. From each sample 1 ml of the supernatant was taken in
to test tubes. To this 1ml of 5% phenol solution was added followed by 5 ml
con.H2SO4. The reagent blank was also prepared by taking the entire reagent except
sample. 1 ml ethanol was taken as blank instead of sample. The mixture was then

kept at 30 ͦ c for 20 minutes. Read the color of the mixture at 490nm using

spectrophotometer.
Estimation of Proline

Estimation of proline content was according to Bates method (1973). 1g. of

leaf tissue was weighed & homogenized in 3 ml of 3% sulphosalicylic acid. The
homogenate was then of centrifuged at a speed of 10000rpm for 15 minutes. The
supernatant was saved & used for the estimation. From each sample 1 ml. of the
supernatant was taken in to test tubes & then 1ml. of glacial acetic acid & 1ml of
ninhydrin was added to it. The test tubes were then covered with round marbles &
further kept in boiling water bath for 1h. To terminate the reaction, the tubes were
dipped in cold water. The reagent blank was also prepared by taking the entire
reagent except the sample. Instead of sample 1ml. of 3% sulphosalicylic acid was
taken. 4 ml of toluene was then added to each test tube &shaken well using a
vortex mixture. The red chromophore was collected & the absorbance was
measured against a reagent blank at 520nm using a spectrophotometer.
Vigna radiata Phaseolus vulgaris

Fig : 1(a) Fig : 1(b)

Phaseolus vulgaris
Control 5% 10% 15%

Fig: 2(a). Effect of the concentrations of P E G on seed germination of

Phaseolus vulgaris

Vigna radiata
Control 5% 10% 15%

Fig: 2(b). Effect of the concentrations of P E G on seed germination of

Vigna radiate
Phaseolus vulgaris Phaseolus vulgaris

Control Stress
Fig : 3(a)
Vigna radiata Vigna radiata

control stress
Fig : 3(b)
 5. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Germination percentage
Table 1:

Concentration Germination percentage

of P E G (%)
Phaseolus vulgaris Vigna radiate

0% 100 100

5% 100 100

10% 100 100

15% 100 100

Root Length
Table 2:

Plants Root length (cm)

Control 5% 10% 5%

PEG PEG P EG

Phaseolus vulgaris

24.2 cm 24.5 cm 9 cm 3 cm

Vigna radiata 7.8 cm 7.3 cm 7.5 cm 4 cm

 Seed germination process is highly influenced by any sort of abiotic stress.
The emergence of radicle as well as plumule is highly sensitized under these stress
therefore, the high percentage of seed germination and high embryonic root
growth under stressed condition directly denote the stress tolerance potential of
plants. In this investigation it was found that the seed germination of Phaseolus
vulgaris L. and Vigna radiata L. is not much inhibited even at high concentration
of PEG (Table.1). The growth of embryonic root was found to be decreased at 10
% of PEG in the case of Phaseolus vulgaris but in the case of Vigna radiate it was
not inhibited even at 10 % of PEG.
Total sugar content

Table 3

Total sugar content Percentage of

difference
Name of the plant (µg / g Fresh weight)

control Drought

Phaseolus vulgaris 800 µg 2120 µg 62.2%

Vigna radiata 1400 µg 2120µg 32%

Total sugar s may help the plants to bring about the osmotic adjustment (Hare
et.al 1998). Therefore it has to be assumed that various sugars play an important
role in osmotic adjustment when plants are subjected to drought stress. In this
present investigation, Phaseolus vulgaris L. has showed greatest potential to
accumulate sugars at enhanced level as compared to Vigna radiata L. When there
was 62.2 % ( 2120 µg/g fr. wt ) increase in the total sugar content in Phaseolus
vulgaris L on subjecting to drought stress as compared to their control plants, it
was only 32% (2120 µg/g fr .wt ) increase in the case of Vigna radiata L.
Total proline content

Table 4

Proline content

Name of the plant (µg / g Fresh weight) Percentage of

difference
Control Drought

Phaseolus vulgaris 412 1018 59.5

Vigna radiate 917 998 8

Proline is a water soluble amino acid and its accumulation in cells is one of
the most frequent metabolic adjustments exhibited by plants exposed to salinity
stress. It is a compatible solute and its play an important role in the osmoregulation
plant when plants are exposed to various abiotic stresses (Bohnert et.al, 1995). It
can also prevent membrane damage and protein denaturation by scavenging free
radicals. Therefore increasing proline content can help the plants to tolerate salinity
stress.

In this present investigation Phaseolus vulgaris was recorded to accumulate

proline at enhanced level as compared to Vigna radiata (Table.3). Phaseolus
vulgaris showed 59.5% (1018 µg / g Fresh weight) increase in the proline content
on subjecting to salinity stress as compared to their control plants whereas in Vigna
radiata it was only 8% (998 µg / g Fresh weight).
 6. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

In the present study various parameters have been made to analyze the
drought tolerance potential of Phaseolus vulgaris L. and Vigna radiata L. and to
compare its drought tolerance capacities. For this purpose experiments to find out
the germination capabilities of these two species at different concentration of P E
G (0%,5%,10% 15%) and various non enzymatic mechanisms (proline and total
sugar content) of drought tolerance under water deficit condition.

The seed germination percentage of both Phaseolus vulgaris L and

Vigna radiata L. was not much affected upon drought stress as compared to their
control. But the embryonic root growth was much affected in the case of. Vigna
radiata L. as compared to Phaseolus vulgaris L. This showed the high drought
withstanding potential of Phaseolus vulgaris L. The proline and total sugar content
were increased significantly (59.5 & 62.2% respectively) in Phaseolus vulgaris L
.under drought stressesed condition as compared to Vigna radiata L. These results
again pointed out the drought tolerance potential of Phaseolus vulgaris L. and this
data is very much correlated with the result of root length studies in seed.

From this present study it was well clear that Phaseolus vulgaris L .is a
drought tolerant species in comparison with Vigna radiata L. Its salt tolerance
nature has been characterized by its ability to maintain the embryonic root growth
at different concentration of PEG and efficient osmoregulation capabilities
(accumulation of proline and total sugars).

In general the result of this study indicates the higher drought tolerance
potential of Phaseolus vulgaris L., as compared to Vigna radiata L., and it can be
recommended for cultivation in drought affected areas.
 7. BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. An- Lhout F , Zunzunegui FA , Diaz Barrads MC, Tinado R , Clavijio A ,

Garcia Novo F (2001) Comparison of proline accumulation in two

Meditteranean shrubs subjected to natural and experimental water deficit.

Plant soil 230:175-183.

2. Asada AK (1984) Chloroplast formation of active oxygen and its

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 SYNOPSIS

Drought is one of the most severe problems in worldwide agricultural

production. Seed germination is critical and governs the later growth and yield of
the plant. The drought stress studies were carried out in two species of Pea plants
viz. PHASEOLUS VULGARIS L. AND VIGNA RADIATA L. which make the
food more proteinacious. In addition, PHASEOLUS VULGARIS L. AND VIGNA
RADIATA L. have many medicinal properties.

The in vitro drought was induced in these plant seeds by using different
levels of polyethylene glycol (PEG) i.e., 5%, 10%, 15% and control. Observations
on the seed germination parameters were made after 48 hours of sowing. The seed
germination percentage of both Phaseolus vulgaris L and Vigna radiata L. was not
much affected upon drought stress as compared to their control. But the embryonic
root growth was much affected in the case of. Vigna radiata L. as compared to
Phaseolus vulgaris L. This showed the high drought withstanding potential of
Phaseolus vulgaris L. The proline and total sugar content was increased
significantly in Phaseolus vulgaris L. as compared to Vigna radiata L. upon
drought stressed condition. Thus the result of this study denotes the drought
tolerance potential of Phaseolus vulgaris L.