Abstract

EFFECT OF FLOODING ON THE ANTIOXIDANTS IN THE ROOT AND LEAVES OF VIGNA ACONITIFOLIA (JACQ.) MARECHAL AND PORTULACA OLERACEA L.

Buchade J. Y.* and Karadge B. A.

Abstract

The present investigation was, undertaken to study the effect of waterlogging on growth and metabolism of Vigna aconitifolia Jacq (moth bean), and Portulaca oleracea L. (common purslane). The seeds of Vigna aconitifolia Jacq. (moth bean) and Portulaca oleracea L. (purslane) were germinated and plants were established for 25 days under controlled conditions in the soil in plastic pots. The plants were artificially flooded / waterlogged with Hoagland solution (1/10 conc.). The concentration of antioxidants (ascorbic acid and alpha tocopherol) was determined after every 7 days i.e. after 0, 7, 14 and 21 days of treatment. It has been found that under in Vigna aconitifolia, the level of ascorbic acid in the roots and leaf was increased under both control and flooded conditions. However, its level was always lower under waterlogged conditions. Its level was found to be higher in the roots as compared to that in the leaves. Similarly, the level of this antioxidant was also increased in the roots and leaves of Portulaca oleracea under control conditions. However, its level was considerably decreased under flooded conditions. Vigna aconitifolia showed decreased α-tocopherol content of its root and leaves after 7d under both control and waterlogging conditions. In Portulaca oleracea roots it was slightly increased under control and waterlogging. However, it was increased in the leaves only under control conditions and that decreased in the leaves under flood conditions.

Keywords: Flooding, ascorbic acid, tocopherol, Moth bean, Purslane.