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Synergistic effects of drought and ascorbic acid on growth, mineral nutrients and oxidative defense system in canola (Brassica napus L.) plants

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Abstract

A study was conducted to find out the role of ascorbic acid (AsA) in modulating growth and different physio-biochemical attributes of canola plants under well-watered as well as water-deficit conditions. Drought stress imposed on 60 % field capacity significantly decreased the shoot and root fresh and dry weights, leaf chlorophyll contents, shoot and root P, root K+, and activity of CAT enzyme, while increased chlorophyll a/b contents, MDA, NPQ, leaf total phenolics, free proline and GB contents in both canola cultivars. Foliar-applied varying levels (50, 100 and 150 mg L−1) of AsA enhanced shoot and root fresh and root dry weights, qN, NPQ, shoot and root P, AsA as well as the activity of POD enzyme particularly under drought stress conditions. Of both canola cultivars, cv. Dunkeld was higher in shoot fresh weights, ETR and F v /F m, MDA, proline and GB contents, and POD activity, however, cv. Cyclone in total phenolics and qN under well-watered and water-deficit conditions. Overall, the foliar-applied AsA had a positive effect, though not marked, on salt sensitive cv. Cyclone in terms of improved growth and other attributes, whereas exogenously applied AsA had a non-significant effect on relatively salt tolerant cv. Dunkeld.

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Acknowledgments

The work presented in this manuscript is a part of research work conducted by M.Sc scholars Miss Sidra Shafiq and Amara Arshad whose studies are funded by the International Foundation for Science through a project #. C/5261-1 titled "Modulation in growth, yield and oil composition of canola (Brassica napus L.) by exogenously applied ascorbic acid under drought stress conditions".

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, GC University, Faisalabad, Pakistan

    Sidra Shafiq, Nudrat Aisha Akram & Amara Arshad

  2. University College of Agriculture, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan

    Muhammad Ashraf

  3. Department of Botany and Microbiology, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

    Muhammad Ashraf

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  1. Sidra Shafiq
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  2. Nudrat Aisha Akram
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Correspondence to Nudrat Aisha Akram.

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Communicated by P. K. Nagar.

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Shafiq, S., Akram, N.A., Ashraf, M. et al. Synergistic effects of drought and ascorbic acid on growth, mineral nutrients and oxidative defense system in canola (Brassica napus L.) plants. Acta Physiol Plant 36, 1539–1553 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-014-1530-z

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