Leaf water relations, diffusive resistance and proline accumulation in hybrid pearl millet under depleting soil moisture content

Two pearl millet hybrids viz. HHB-50 and HHB-67 and their respective parents MS-81 A (♀), H-90/4–5 (♂) and MS-843 (♀), H-77/833-2 (♂) were raised in earthen pots under natural conditions of green house. Stress levels i.e. mild stress (soil moisture content (SMC) 7.0%) and severe stress (SMC 4.5%) were created by withholding irrigation at vegetative stage as compared to control (SMC 16.3%). Revival (SMC 15.9%) of severly stressed plants was taken 2 days after reirrigation. A significant reduction in RWC (%), water potential (Ψ_w), osmotic potential (Ψ_s) and transpiration ride and increase in proline and leaf diffusive resistance were observed during stress condition. Upon revival, partial recovery was observed for above parameters. However, the recovery was better in HHB-67 and its parents as compared to hybrid HHB-50 and its parents.