Physio-chemical changes of Cassia occidentalis under drought stress

Drought stress is a prime hindrance for Cassia occidentalis, a medicinal plant of potential importance. This experiment was accomplished to interpret the effect of drought stress on C. occidentalis employing four water supply levels (100ml, 200ml, 300ml and control) with soil relative water content ranging from 12% to 65%. The present study was carried out in pot experiments in complete randomized design with three replicates and the results were analysed on the basis of data recorded on growth, physiological and biochemical parameters. The parameters studied were number of leaf, leaf area index, biomass accumulation, NR activity, chlorophyll content and protein accumulation. The result showed a significant decrease in all parameters with the decrease in water supply, however mild level of stress (300ml; 36% SRWC) enhanced the growth. Our study concluded that the experimental plants were able to tolerate a limited water stress (up to 36% SRWC) but excessive drought (100ml) strikingly diminished the physio-biochemical activity and therefore hindered the plant growth.