Effect of Flooding on Nodule Solutes and Leghemoglobin in Cowpea

Nodulated cowpea (Vigna unquiculata (L.) Walp) showed significant reduction in nodule solutes like free aminoacid, soluble protein, total sugar and leghemoglobin (Lb) in response to prolonged water logging upto a period of 6 days. While the intensity of Lb protein bands on polyacrylamide gel declined rapidly with continued water logging, the intensity of some of the hemoprotein bands either increased or decreased markedly unitl the 6th day of flooding. Most of the protein bands almost disappeared if flooding was extended beyond six days.

Most of the terrestial plants including legumes are intolerant to excess water and therefore are adveresely affected in severeal ways. Some of the earlier reports, though indicate the influence of flooding on developmental aspects, not much has been understood on the changes in nodule solutes and soluble protein fractions like leghemoglobin. Therefore, the present work was carried out primarily to determine the content of some of the nodule solutes and the changes effected in leghemoglobin and other hemoproteins under different duration of water-logging.