IJSR - International Journal of Scientific Research

M. SHANKAR; B.N. HARISH BABU; B.N GEETHA KUMARI

Volume : VI, Issue : IV, April - 2017

Optimization of osmotic stress induced by polyethylene glycol6000 for drought tolerance screening in Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.,)

M. Shankar, B. N. Harish Babu, B. N Geetha Kumari

Abstract :

Groundnut is a premier oilseed crop of India. Drought is the chief abiotic stress causing up to 50–80% crop loss in groundnut. An attempt was made to optimize the osmotic stress induced by different concentrations of PEG–6000 for moisture stress tolerance screening in groundnut cv. TMV–2. Six different concentrations of PEG–6000 (5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 percent) along with a control (sterile distilled water) were used. Significant differences were observed for germination per cent, lengths of root, shoot and seedlings, seed vigour and root/shoot ratio at different concentrations of PEG–6000 (p < 0.05). The PEG–6000 concentration above 15% has reduced per cent germination and seed vigor almost by 50%. However, at 15% PEG–6000, a significant increase in root/shoot ratio was recorded. Hence, 15% PEG–6000 (equivalent to –2.95 bars) appears to be an ideal concentration for moisture stress tolerance screening of groundnut genotypes. < clear="all" style="page–eak–before:always;mso–eak–type:section–eak" />