PHOTOSYNTHETIC EFFICIENCY AND ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL OF Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. BR. GENOTYPES UNDER SIMULATED DROUGHT STRESS

In the present study, the relative photosynthetic performance and antioxidative activities of four Pennisetum glaucum genotypes, viz., IP14599, IP35451, IP14222 and Gero were analysed under simulated drought condition. The photosynthetic performance was estimated using chlorophyll a fluorescence method and tt was observed that among the selected genotypes, the genotype IP14599 reached the highest emitted PSII photon reaction and apparent electron transport rate (ETRmax) and thus showed the optimal adjustment to the arid climate of Rajasthan (India). In contrast, the genotype Gero displayed the minimum adaptation to the same climatic conditions owing to its low PPFDsat, ΔF/Fm’ and ETRmax values. Furthermore, the activities of Malondialdehyde (MDA) and anti-oxidative enzymes were  also examined  in these two contrasting genotypes IP14599 and Gero in terms of the objectives taken for this study. The antioxidative activities also showed an increase in the genotype IP14599 which mitigated the oxidative damage of the cell membrane and conferred better adaptation in comparison to the genotype Gero. The results revealed that the genotype IP14599 possesses best tolerance mechanism to water deficit conditions and best suited for semi-arid environment.