Induction of drought stress tolerance by Propiconazole and Salicylic acid in Sorghum bicolor is mediated by enhanced osmoregulation, compatible solutes and biochemical accumulation

Abstract

A pot-culture experiment was carried out to estimate the ameliorating effect of Propiconazole (PCZ) and Salicylic acid (SA) on drought stressed Sorghum bicolor. The plants were subjected to 3, 6 and 9 Day Interval Drought (DID) and drought with PCZ 1 mM and SA 1 mM alone from 30, 40 and 50 Days After Sowing (DAS). One day interval irrigation was kept as control. The plant samples were collected on 60, 70 and 80 DAS then separated into root and shoots for estimate the protein, proline, amino acid (AA), glycine betaine (GB) and total sugar content. Drought stress inhibited protein content then the proline, AA, GB and total sugar contents were increased when compared to control. Plants were treated drought with PCZ and SA these parameters to a larger extent when compared to drought stressed plants. The PCZ and SA treatments increased the protein content, but decreased the proline, AA, GB and total sugar contents when compared to drought stressed plants. From the results of this investigation, it can be concluded that the application of PCZ and SA caused a partial amelioration of the adverse effects of drought stress in sorghum plants.