Progressive Horticulture

The drought tolerance in three commercial cultivars of Ziziphus mauritiana Lamk. was evaluated at the Ex-perimental Orchard of CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar. One year old budded plants of cultivar Gola, Umran and Kaithli were transplanted in polyethylene bags containing appropriate soil mixture (sand+soil+FYM 1: 1: 1 v/v). When the transplanted plants were fully established the experiment was performed by withholding the irrigation for 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days in order to create moisture stress in plants. During the stress period, it was found that the leaf total sugars content increased with increased moisture stress. The leaf reducing and non-reducing sugars content was also increased, whereas, starch content decreased. The decrease in leaf Chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll (a+b) content was recorded during moisture stress, however, the electrolyte leakage in terms of percent relative stress injury was found to be increased in leaves of cultivars.