Department of Plant Physiology, College of Agriculture, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, 500030.
*Corresponding author.
Castor, which is chiefly grown on dry lands, suffers from low productivity in Andhra Pradesh. To identify genotypes that suit dry land situations, screening based on seed germination, seedling vigour index, proline accumulation and nitrate reductase activity was taken up. Moisture stress of −3, −6 and −9 bars was provided to seeds germinating in petri plates or test tubes using polyethylene glycol solution and the response compared with control. Stress level of −6 bar was found appropriate for screening of genotypes. The genotype GCH 4 showed superiority in most of the parameters examined and recommended for cultivation in dry lands.
PEG induced stress, Ricinus communis
