African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6900

Full Length Research Paper

Characterization of water-stress tolerant cotton cultivars based on plant growth and in activity of antioxidant enzymes

Jessica Damasceno Rodrigues
  • Jessica Damasceno Rodrigues
  • Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil.
  • Google Scholar
Carliane Rebeca Coelho da Silva
  • Carliane Rebeca Coelho da Silva
  • Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil.
  • Google Scholar
Rennan Fernandes Pereira
  • Rennan Fernandes Pereira
  • Federal University of Paraiba, Areia, PB, Brazil.
  • Google Scholar
Jean Pierre Cordeiro Ramos
  • Jean Pierre Cordeiro Ramos
  • Federal University of Paraiba, Areia, PB, Brazil.
  • Google Scholar
Pericles de Albuquerque Melo Filho
  • Pericles de Albuquerque Melo Filho
  • Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil.
  • Google Scholar
Jose Jaime Vasconcelos Cavalcanti
  • Jose Jaime Vasconcelos Cavalcanti
  • Biotechnology Laboratory, Embrapa Cotton, Campina Grande, PB, Brazil.
  • Google Scholar
Roseane Cavalcanti Santos
  • Roseane Cavalcanti Santos
  • Biotechnology Laboratory, Embrapa Cotton, Campina Grande, PB, Brazil.
  • Google Scholar


  •  Received: 06 June 2016
  •  Accepted: 14 July 2016
  •  Published: 29 September 2016

Abstract

The aim of this study was to characterize cotton cultivars based on growth data and on antioxidant enzymes activity, in order to identify better-adapted cultivars to water-stress conditions. Nine genotypes were submitted to 7 days of water suppression starting at 45 days after seedling emergence (phase R1). The essay was carried out in greenhouse conditions, where plants were grown in 5 L vases filled with sandy soil previously fertilized as recommended for the crop. A completely randomized experimental design adopted in a 9×2 (genotypes × water treatment) factorial scheme and 4 replications.  Cultivar classifications were performed by multivariate analysis, using canonical variable and UPGMA cluster analysis. The following growth traits were recorded: Plant height, leaf stalk diameter, number of leaves and root length and weight. Antioxidative activities (SOD, CAT and APX) were also tested by spectrophotometry. Water stress affected all genotypes with different response level.  The genotypes adapted to semiarid environment showed better capacity to grow under water limitation, and also better performance of antioxidative enzymes in order to avoid cellular damages. BRS 286, CNPA 7MH and CNPA 5M were better adapted to drought period and regarded as the best cultivars to use in cotton breeding aiming tolerance to water stress.

 

Key words: Gossypium hirsutum L., antioxidative enzymes, water stress.

Abbreviation

SOD, Superoxide dismutase; APX, ascorbate peroxidase; CAT, catalase; EDTA, ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid; NBT, nitrobluetetrazolium; ROS, reactive oxigen species; ¹O2, oxigen singlet; O2•, superoxide; OH•, hydroxil radical; H2O2, hydrogen peroxide; O2, molecular oxigen; CV, canonical variables; UPGMA, unweighted pair    group   method     with   arithmetic   mean;    CCC, cophenetic correlation coefficient.