Changes in antioxidant metabolism under drought stress in Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.

A pot culture experiment was conducted to estimate the effects of drought stress in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) plants. From 30 days after sowing (DAS), the plants were subjected to 3, 6 and 9 days interval drought (DID) stress and one day interval irrigation was kept as control. The plant samples were collected on 34 DAS (3 DID), 37 DAS (6 DID) and 40 DAS (9 DID). The plants were separated into root, stem and leaf for estimating the antioxidant contents and activities of antioxidant enzymes. Ascorbic acid (AA), α-tocopherol (α−toc) contents, superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and catalase (CAT) activities were highly influenced under drought stress when compared to control.