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Osmotic stress and the nitrogen metabolism of two groundnut (Arachis Hypogaea L.) cultivars

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Summary

The water status and nitrogen metabolism of the groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) cultivars, M-13 and M-145 were examined during a period of water stress and recovery. 10 day old seedlings, grown in controlled environment were exposed to solutions of polyethylene glycol (MW 6000, osmotic potential, −0.5 or −0.8 MPa = −5 or −8 bars) for a week when the stress was relieved by replacing the PEG solution with a nutrient solution. Relative turgidity, total protein and free amino acid concentration and nitrate reductase activity were measured during the period of stress and recovery. Cultivar M-13, despite its lower relative turgidity during stress, was better able to preserve its protein concentration and nitrate reductase activity, and recover to a normal state within three days of the relief of stress. M-145, on the other hand, failed to recover within this period. The results are discussed in the light of the known performance of the two cultivars in the field under drought conditions.

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Saini, H.S., Srivastava, A.K. Osmotic stress and the nitrogen metabolism of two groundnut (Arachis Hypogaea L.) cultivars. Irrig Sci 2, 185–192 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00257980

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00257980

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