FOLIAR SUPPLEMENTATION OF PROLINE AND GLYCINE BETAINE IMPROVES DROUGHT TOLERANCE IN MEDICINAL PLANTS (Lavandula dentata and Plantago ovata)

Abstract

One of the most common environmental constraints with adverse impacts is the drought stress which is rapidly increasing due to the intensive usage of water resources. It has been reported to affect and limit plant growth and development. A pot experiment was conducted at Botanical garden University of Balochistan, Quetta to explore the impact of foliar application of Osmoprotectant i.e., Proline (PRO; 2 mM), Glycine Betaine (GB; 1 µM) in mitigating the drought stress in Plantago ovata and Lavandula dentata. Fifteen days seedlings were subjected to three levels of drought stress i.e., Quarter Field Capacity (QFC), Half Field Capacity (HFC) and Full Field Capacity (FFC) and after 10 days of drought plants were foliarly supplemented with Pro and GB. Plants were harvested after 1 week of foliar treatment and analyzed for the accumulation of essential nutrients i.e., (Nitrate, Calcium, Potassium, Zinc and Magnesium) under drought stress. Foliar supplementation of GB and Pro, improved nutrient status under drought stress thereby improving plants tolerance to drought stress. Therefore, foliar supplementation of GB and Pro can be recommended to plants especially medicinal plants to withstand and mitigate the impacts of drought stress effectively.