title: Differential responses in water use efficiency in two varieties of Catharanthus roseus under drought stress.
abstract: Two varieties, rosea and alba, of Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don. were screened for their water use efficiency under two watering regimes, viz. 60 and 100% filed capacity in the present study. Drought stress was imposed at 60% filed capacity from 30 to 70 days after sowing, while the control pots were maintained at 100% filed capacity throughout the entire growth period. Leaf area duration, cumulative water transpired, water use efficiency, net assimilation rate, mean transpiration rate, harvest index, biomass and yield under the water deficit level were measured from both stressed and well-watered control plants. Water use efficiency significantly increased in both varieties under water stress. Drought stress decreased leaf area duration, cumulative water transpired, net assimilation rate, mean transpiration rate, harvest index, and biomass yield in both varieties studied. Among the varieties, rosea variety showed the best results.
authors.affiliation: Stress Physiology Lab, Department of Botany, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar 608 002, Tamilnadu, India. abdul79jaleel@rediffmail.com
authors.forename: Cheruth Abdul
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Jaleel
authors.forename: Ragupathi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gopi
authors.forename: Beemarao
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sankar
authors.forename: Muthiah
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gomathinayagam
authors.forename: Rajaram
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Panneerselvam
mesh_terms: D030008:Catharanthus / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D004190:Disasters; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D018526:Plant Transpiration; D013045:Species Specificity; D014867:Water / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D014867:Water