Bharti Jamra, Sunita Kataria and Meeta Jain*

School; of Biochemistry, Delhi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya University, Indore, MP, India

*Corresponding Author:Meeta Jain, School; of Biochemistry, Delhi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya University, Indore, MP, India.

Received: January 30, 2025; Published: February 13, 2025

Abstract

Ultraviolet (UV) solar radiations have received greater attention during recent years, mainly due to depletion of stratospheric ozone and hence their consequent increase. The heightened incidence of drought stress resulting from climate change is creating a challenging environment for plant life. The aim of the present study was to investigate the response of mungbean seedlings to these stressors singly and in combinations (UV-B and PEG 6000) on seed germination and early seedling growth parameters. Mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) is a leguminous species grown in different parts of the world, especially in Asia including India where it is a common source of protein in the nutrient supplements. The seeds were exposed to 2 h of UV-B irradiation for three days and drought condition was generated by supplying polyethylene glycol 6000(PEG 6000) solution of 10% for five days. The combined stress was given by supplying UV-B (2h for 3 days) + 10% PEG (for 5 days) together. After five days, early growth parameters, enzymes related to seed germination (total amylase and protease) and biochemical parameters were analyzed in seedlings. The results revealed that both UV-B and drought stress have substantial negative effects on percent germination, root, shoot and seedling length, fresh and dry weight of seedlings, vigour index-I and II. UV-B and drought exposure independently caused significant inhibition of total amylase and protease activities in roots and shoots of 5 day old mungbean seedlings. Further, the oxidative stress-associated markers such as proline and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) were found to increase in response to both the stresses in root as well as shoot tissues. Exposure to both UV-B radiation and drought stress negatively affect various indicators of plant growth and health, including increased production of H2O2, which can damage crucial biomolecules like DNA, RNA, and proteins. The observed reductions in germination, seedling growth, vigor, and key biochemical parameters suggest a synergistic interaction between these two stressors. Despite these negative impacts, simultaneous increase in proline and H2O2 levels under UV-B, PEG (drought), and combined stress conditions may point towards an adaptive response and a degree of tolerance to these stressors.

Keywords: Drought; Growth; Oxidative Stress; UV-B; Tolerance

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Citation

Citation: Meeta Jain., et al. “Early Growth Responses Towards UV-B, Drought and their Interaction in Mungbean". Acta Scientific Agriculture 9.3 (2025): 36-49.

Copyright

Copyright: © 2025 Meeta Jain., et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.