Detection of drought tolerant sugarcane genotypes (Saccharum officinarum) using lipid peroxidation, antioxidant activity, glycine-betaine and proline contents

Thirteen genotypes of sugarcane were exposed to different drought stress intensities followed by a period of stress relief. Different biomarkers were used to analyze the stress tolerance in leaves which include DPPH activity, proline, glycine betaine, lipid peroxidation and phenolic contents against different doses of Polyethylene glycol. Relatively the concentrations of all biochemical markers were increased when PEG concentration was increased. On the basis of lipid peroxidation, glycine betaine and proline contents, HSF-242, Lho-83, HSF-240, CP-77-400, CPF-198, NSG-45, NSG-60 and NSG-555 were found to be drought tolerant genotypes. In conclusion the drought stress-induced changes are reversible, at the cellular level in sugarcane.