Indian Journal of Agricultural Biochemistry

A laboratory experiment was conducted to study the effect of water stress on biochemical parameters of chickpea seeds, and to see the extent of effectiveness of two growth regulators, viz., Brassinolide (BS) and Gibberellic acid (GA₃) in ameliorating the deleterious effects of water stress on seedling metabolism. The seeds of chickpea var. GG-4 were presoaked in three concentrations of BS viz., 0.25, 0.50 and 1.0 ppm and GA₃ viz., 10, 50 and 100 ppm for 2 hrs. The seeds presoaked in distilled water served as control. The treated seeds were germinated in petri plates in the medium of two concentrations of Poly Ethylene Glycol (PEG, 6000) viz. -2 bar and -4 bar so as to create mild and moderate stress. Seeds germinated in distilled water served as control. Activities of catalase and peroxidase enzymes were enhanced by 0.25 ppm and 0.50 ppm BS, respectively. BS @ 1.0 ppm enhanced proline and total soluble sugar contents. GA₃ @ 100 ppm under mild stress enhanced catalase and peroxidase activities. Incremental trend of proline and total soluble sugar contents was observed at both the stress levels under GA₃ @ 100 ppm. BS at its lowest concentration (0.25 ppm) exerted its influence, whereas the highest concentration (100 ppm) of GA₃ was more effective in counteracting the effect of mild and moderate water stress simulated through application of PEG.