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Changes in antioxidant enzyme activities and gene expression in two muskmelon genotypes under progressive water stress

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Biologia Plantarum

Abstract

Responses of two muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) genotypes (drought tolerant SC-15 and drought susceptible EC-564755) were analyzed at 0, 7, 14, and 21 d of progressive water stress. Although water deficit caused a significant decline in relative water content, the magnitude of reduction was lower in SC-15. Electrolyte leakage, hydrogen peroxide, and malonydialdehyde generation were higher in EC-564755, whereas accumulation of proline was higher in SC-15. Higher activities of antioxidant enzymes, such as catalase, superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, guaiacol peroxidase, and glutathione reductase, and higher expression of the respective genes were recorded in SC-15 than in EC-564755. Expressions of DREB2C and DREB3 in SC-15 revealed a fluctuating pattern with down-regulation on days 7 and 21 of water stress, whereas up-regulation was observed on day 14. Concurrently, both genes in EC-564755 showed continuous down-regulation on days 7, 14, and 21 of water stress. Expressions of RD22 and dehydrin recorded on days 7, 14, and 21 were lower in SC-15. The cluster analysis showed that, these two genotypes had a clear distinction in physiological and biochemical properties and gene expressions under water stress and the genotype SC-15 had more efficient osmoprotectant mechanism than genotype EC-564755 under water deficit conditions.

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Abbreviations

APX:

ascorbate peroxidase

CAT:

catalase

DREB:

dehydration-responsive element-binding

MDA:

malondialdehyde; nding protein

DWD:

days of water deficit

EL:

electrolyte leakage

GR:

glutathione reductase

LPO:

lipid peroxidation

POD:

guaiacol peroxidase

RWC:

relative water content

SOD:

superoxide dismutase

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. ICAR-Indian Institute of Vegetable Research, Jakhini, Varanasi, 221305, Uttar Pradesh, India

    W. A. Ansari, B. Singh & S. Pandey

  2. Department of Botany, M.M.V., Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, Uttar Pradesh, India

    W. A. Ansari & N. Atri

Authors
  1. W. A. Ansari
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  2. N. Atri
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  3. B. Singh
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  4. S. Pandey
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Correspondence to S. Pandey.

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Acknowledgement: The authors acknowledge the generous support of the National Agricultural Innovation Project (NAIP), New Delhi. MAN-JRF-SRF provided to WAA by University Grant Commission (UGC), New Delhi, India, is fully acknowledged.

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Ansari, W.A., Atri, N., Singh, B. et al. Changes in antioxidant enzyme activities and gene expression in two muskmelon genotypes under progressive water stress. Biol Plant 61, 333–341 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10535-016-0694-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10535-016-0694-3

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