Effects of osmoprotectors on sugar cane plants growing under different water deficit levels

Abstract

The objectives of this work were to quantify trehalose and free proline levels in plants of sugar cane cultivars ‘IAC91-2195' and ‘IAC91-5155' after being submitted to different levels of water deficit as well as to verify whether those compounds can be used as physiological/biochemical markers of plant tolerance to drought. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse under conditions of 29.7 ± 4.3 ºC and 75.0 ± 10.1% of R.H. during 60 days. Sugar cane buds, under no water deficit, were grown in a Red Latosoil to obtain 40 day old plants which were then transplanted to 12 dm3 vases filled with the same soil in which three levels of water availability were used : 55% ( no stress), 40% ( moderate stress), and 25% (severe stress) of the soil water holding capacity. Reducing soil water availability increased the leaf contents of free proline and trehalose in the ‘IAC91-5155' cultivar what is thought to confirm the drought tolerance of this cultivar. Both compounds can be used to assess drought tolerance of sugar cane cultivars ‘IAC91-5155' and ‘IAC91-2195'.

Additional keywords: osmotic adjustment; trehalose; proline; drought; Saccharum spp.