Display of distinct endogenous phenolic contents in different rice ecotypes grown under normal conditions: a potent biomarker system for sensing growth, stress and adaptability

Abstract

Phenolic compounds are important bioactive components in plant kingdoms with ubiquitous distribution amid immense structural diversity. They are indispensable in developmental and physiological stages of a plant besides having specific response in protection, adaptability, environmental and climatic resilience. In the present study, total phenolic content (TPC) was evaluated in 9 different rice ecotypes (PB- 1, PB-1121, PB-1509, Pusa-RH-10, CSR-30, PR-126, HKR-47, Govind and Sharbati) belonging to basmati and non-basmati rice varieties. TPC distribution was measured in both shoot and root system at 14 days old seedling stage. In shoot, the average TPC distribution was 254.38 μg of GAE/gm FW, ranged from 170.33 μg to 357.62 μg of GAE/gm FW. For root, the TPC ranged from 64.58 μg to 105.27 μg of GAE/gm Fw with an average of 84.82 μg of GAE/gm FW. Hence, increased TPC was observed in shoots compared to roots, also there was a positive correlation in TPC distribution between shoot and root. Furthermore, the TPC distribution was more profound in shoot and root of basmati varieties compared to non-basmati varieties. Therefore, differential TPC distribution represents significant physiological feature during the developmental process for optimum growth and metabolism within the rice varieties according to their ecological behavior.