Variations in Proline and Osmotic Potential During Seasons and Growth Stages in Some Medicinal Plants of The Thar Desert, India

In the present studies, an attempt has been made to estimate proline and osmotic potential (OP) during different seasons and growth stages in Eclipta alba and Peganum harmala. Correlations between these were also established. E. alba leaves accumulated maximum amount of proline during summer with minimum OP in winter season. During different growth stages, it was maximum in vegetative and minimum in seedling stage, while OP showed vice-versa trends. These observations showed a direct correlation, i.e. when proline content was maximum then OP was minimum during growth stages. In P. harmala, maximum concentrations of proline were recorded during winter with minimum OP. Among the developmental (growth) stages, proline was maximum during flowering with minimum OP in vegetative stage.