Identification of drought tolerant Sesamum genotypes using biochemical markers

Abstract

Sesamum indicum L. (Pedaliaceae) is an economically important oil seed crop and used for food, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical industries. Drought stress is considered as the most important abiotic stress limiting to crop production. In this context, the present study was to illustrate the biochemical markers of Sesamum genotypes to identify the drought tolerance. The irrigation was made in three treatments [T-1 Control (100% FC), T-II (50% FC) and T-III (25% FC)]. Growth rate, fresh and dry weight were recorded in all treatments. The biochemical analysis showed that the total pigment content was more in ‘ENT-78-301’ and minimum in ‘SI-205’ at T-III (25% FC). The total carbohydrates, proline and polyphenol content were also increased at treatment-III in all the genotypes after 30 days of water stress. Enzyme activities are variable in different treatments under water stress. The super oxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities differentiate the genotypes reflected to drought stress. The enzyme activity was higher at T-III (25 % FC) in all the genotypes. However, the maximum was observed in genotype ‘Prachi’ and minimum in ‘SI-1025’. On the basis of biochemical and enzymatic analysis, the genotypes ‘SI-1025’, ‘SI-205’, ‘SI-2138-2’ and ‘KM-13’ are more tolerant to drought and ‘ENT-78-301’, ‘Prachi’, ‘Kanaka’,’S-0140’, ‘SI-1926’ and ‘IS-607-1-84’ are the susceptible to drought. The results of this study are useful for Sesamum breeding programme.