Amelioration of polyethylene glycol simulated water deficit stress by benzyladenine in groundnut

Effect of benzyladenine soaking of seeds followed by polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG) induced water deficit stress on leaf relative water content (RWC) and levels of free amino acids, proline, ascorbic acid and sugar were examined in leaf of 15 day old seedlings of groundnut cultivars GG-2, GG-3, GG-4, GG-5, GG-7 and J-11. Cultivar GG-2 is characterized by highest relative water content, greater accumulation of proline, ascorbic acid and reducing sugars whereas, cv. J-11 had the lowest relative water content and showed lower accumulation of proline and sugar. With increase in the level of PEG, simulated water stress showed reduction in RWC whereas the level of free amino acids, proline and sugars increased. Soaking of seeds in benzyladenine helps in amelioration of PEG simulated stress by maintaining higher level of RWC and maintaining adequate level of osmolytes.