Vol. 11, Issue 12 (2022)

Author(s):
Munezeh Rashid, Gul Zaffar, PA Sofi, Asif B Shikari, ZA Dar, Ajaz A Lone, Gowhar Ali, Zaffar Mehdi, Mushtaq A Malik, Fehim Jeelani and Asmat Ara

Abstract:
Drought severely limits global plant distribution and agricultural production. Elucidating the physiological mechanisms governing alfalfa stress responses will contribute to the improvement of drought tolerance in leguminous crops. To understand the adaptation mechanism of alfalfa (Medicago spp.) to drought stress, growth, and physiological parameters by using PEG-6000 and agar gel were measured under simulated levels (0%, 5%, 10% and 20%) of PEG and agar gel (1-2%). Fourty-five genotypes of alfalfa were evaluated comprising of genotypes from Mongolia, Italy, Cortia and Ladakh. Results indicated significant differences among the genotypes. In PEG-6000 mediated experiment with increase in concentration of PEG, the significant decrease in primary root length (cm), number of laterals and root weight (g) was observed. Based on results, the genotypes AUS-ALF-12, AUS-ALF-17exhibited lesser reduction in primary root length, and genotypes AUS-ALF-20, AUS-ALF-18 exhibited lesser reduction in number of laterals and genotypes AUS-ALF-4, ALF-IT-7 exhibited lesser reduction in root weight. while as, in agar based experiment the measurement of traits viz., primary root length, number of lateral roots, root weight and total root length were observed and based on results the genotypes ALF-CRO-4, AUS-ALF-15 exhibited lesser reduction in primary root length and genotypes ALF-CRO-8, ALF-Kar-10 exhibited lesser reduction in number of laterals, genotypes ALF-CRO-8, ALF-Kar-9 exhibited lesser reduction in root weight, genotypes ALF-CRO-8, ALF-CRO-9 exhibited lesser reduction in total root length. Hence, progressive decline was observed across all genotypes with an increase in PEG concentration, and also in agar experiment, respectively.