Drought Induced Physiological and Biochemical Changes in Leaves of Developing Seedlings of Tea [ Camellia sinensis (L) O Kuntze ] Cultivars

Abstract

Drought is one of the important environmental stress affecting agricultural productivity around the world. In this study, an attempt has been made to understand drought induced biochemical alterations in different clones of Camellia sinensis [TV-1, TV-20, TV-29 and TV-30]. Drought stress induced decrease in total chlorophyll and carotenoid, phenolics concentration and increases in proline concentration, lipid peroxidation and polyphenols oxidase activity as a consequent of decrease in leaf relative water content (RWC). Decreased Na + and K + concentration caused osmotic stress in leaves decreasing NR activity, and ultimately reducing leaf relative growth rate. Thus, drought induced a range of physiological and biochemical alterations causing membrane damage and loss in cellular functions ultimately leading to reduction in growth of one of the most important economic crop like tea. In comparison, TV-1 showed better drought tolerance by maintaining higher endogenous K + and proline content and a balance Na + /K + ratio in leaves.