Present study was undertaken to find the differences in the activities of antioxidative enzymes among a landrace (BW11) and two cultivated genotypes of wheat (drought tolerant C306 and drought sensitive PBW 343) under water deficit stress generated by using 6% mannitol during 7 days of seedling growth. Percent increase in catalase activity was more in the landrace under water deficit conditions. Ascorbate peroxidase activity increased or remained unchanged in the roots and shoots of the stressed seedlings of landrace and drought tolerant genotypes. However, it decreased in the roots and shoots of seedlings of drought sensitive genotype under water deficit conditions. Glutathione reductase activity was higher in roots and shoots of drought sensitive genotypes but it decreased significantly under water deficit conditions at later stages of seedling growth. Low peroxidase activity was observed in the seedlings of drought sensitive genotype. In general, landrace and drought tolerant genotypes in comparison with drought sensitive genotype had an efficient antioxidative defense system constituted mainly by ascorbate peroxidase, peroxidase and catalase under water deficit conditions.
Landrace, cultivated wheat, seedling growth, drought, antioxidative defense system
