Cytosolute Accumulation in Water-Stressed Seedlings of Mungbean CVS. (Vigna Radiata Linn.) as Affected by Pretreatment with Fluridone and Paclobutrazol

Mungbean [Vigna radiata Linn) cultivar, ML 267 and summer mung cultivar SML 134 were pretreated with fluridone (10 mg I⁻¹) and paclobutrazol (10 mg I⁻¹). Water stress (−0.4 MPa) conditions were induced by using polyethylene glycol (PEG-6000). The accumulation of cytosolutes when exposed to moderate stress (−0.4 MPa) and after pretreatment with fluridone and paclobutrazol was variable. In control, total soluble protein content was more in ML 267 than in SML 134. Fluridone and paclobutrazol pretreatment significantly increased soluble protein content of seedlings in control as well as stress conditions. Imposition of water stress decreased starch content in both cultivars. Soluble sugar accumulation was significantly increased under stress conditions and fluridone pretreatment further increased it. Paclobutrazol application increased starch but decreased soluble sugar content in seedlings of all cultivars studied presently. ML 267 accumulated more free sugars and proteins under stress than in SML 134, and fluridone pretreatment further increased cytosolute accumulation.