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WATER STRESS MEDIATED CHANGES IN GROWTH, PHYSIOLOGY AND SECONDARY METABOLITES OF DESI AJWAIN (TRACHYSPERMUM AMMI L.)

NAZILA AZHAR¹, BILAL HUSSAIN¹, MUHAMMAD YASIN ASHRAF² AND KARIM YAR ABBASI¹

Abstract: Biotic and abiotic stresses exert a considerable influence on the production of several secondary metabolites in plants; water stress is one of the most important abiotic stress factors. This study was carried out to elucidate the effect of drought stress on growth, physiology and secondary metabolite production in desi ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi L.). Plants were grown in pots and three drought levels (100%, 80% and 60%) of field capacity were created. The experiment was laid out in complete randomized design (CRD) with three replicates. Data on growth, physiological and biochemical parameters were recorded and analyzed statistically. Physiological parameters like transpiration rate and stomatal conductance decreased significantly with increasing water stress levels, but internal CO₂ concentration increased. The photosynthetic rate showed non-significant reduction from 100% field capacity to 80% field capacity but increased at 60% field capacity. Growth parameters including plant height, herb fresh and dry weights were reduced significantly with increasing stress levels, while total phenolic contents and chlorophyll contents increased under water stress conditions. These results suggest that cultivation of medicinal plants like desi ajwain under drought stress could enhance the production of secondary metabolites.
 

Institute of Horticultural Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.

²Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology, Jhang Road, Faisalabad, Pakistan.

Corresponding author E-mail: nazilabot@yahoo.com