Physiological evaluation of Handroanthus impetiginosus (Mart. ex DC.) Mattos seedlings subjected to water deficit

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the physiological conditions of H. impetiginosos seedlings in terms of biochemical and hydric aspects in a greenhouse. The seedlings were placed in three-liter pots, composed of soil and chicken manure (3:1). The plants were submitted to the following treatments: control (irrigated once a day) and water deficit (10, 20 and 30 days of water suspension). Biochemical analyzes were performed such as: sucrose, soluble carbohydrates, soluble amino acids, soluble proteins, starch, proline and glycine-betaine. The experimental results were submitted to analysis of variance (ANOVA), Tukey's test and statistical analysis using the SWNTIA program. The concentrations of free amino acids, soluble carbohydrates, sucrose, glycine-betaine and proline increased in leaves and roots of plants subjected to water stress when compared to control plants. On the other hand, there was a reduction in the concentration of total free starch and soluble proteins. Therefore, the higher concentration of soluble carbohydrates and proline indicate their availability to H. impetiginosus plants, helping physiological processes such as photosynthesis, stomatal opening and expansion growth in dry conditions.