TITLE:
Water Stress Response in Different Jatropha curcas Accessions from Different Geographical Zones of Botswana: Biochemical & Physiological Perceptive
AUTHORS:
Kesego Makholwa, Goitseone Malambane, Baleseng Moseki, Boipelo Nthupisang
KEYWORDS:
Jatropha curcas, Malondialdehyde, Proline, Soluble Protein, Superoxide Dismutase, Catalase
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.12 No.9,
September
3,
2021
ABSTRACT: Jatropha curcas L. is one climate smart drought-resistant
multipurpose plant with a variety of properties that have conjured interest all
over the world due to its potential to produce biofuel. In this study, Jatropha
curcas accessions were collected from three different climate zones of
Botswana; Northern region (Maun), Central region (Mmadinare) and Southern
region (Thamaga). These accessions were
subjected to water stress to study their biochemical and physiological
responses. Results showed that water stress increased malondialdehyde (MDA) content, electrolyte leakage as well
as proline content in all the accessions. It is worth-noting that Maun
accession exhibited highest proline content,
when subjected to water stress. Maun accession also displayed less MAD
and electrolyte leakage than the other two accessions, an indication of less perturbation to membranes under water
stress. This could be attributed in part, to its higher catalase and
superoxide dismutase contents, which presumably prevented lipid peroxidation by
mopping up reactive oxygen species. The
slightly higher dry weights exhibited by Mmadinare and Maun accessions
could be ascribed to their ability to maintain membrane integrity under water
stress conditions. It can therefore be concluded that Maun and Mmadinare
accessions can be grown under drought conditions commonly experienced in
Botswana.