EFFECT OF VARIOUS ABIOTIC STRESSES ON THE GROWTH, SOLUBLE SUGARS AND WATER RELATIONS OF SORGHUM SEEDLINGS GROWN IN LIGHT AND DARKNESS.

Abstract

Summary. The effect of NaCl, PEG, heat and cold treatments on growth, water content, FW, DW and soluble sugar levels in 3 day old seedlings of Sorghum bicolor CSH-6 were studied. Under these stress conditions, RWC and water potential of seedlings decreased dramatically. Subsequently this reduction resulted in the markable decrease in FW of different parts of stress imposed seedlings. On the contrary, a substantial increase in DW was observed. Furthermore, a considerable increase in the sugar levels in different plant parts was detected. The fructose level was always higher than that of the glucose and sucrose in response to various treatments. The stressed light grown seedlings showed an elevated content of sugars in comparison with dark grown seedlings. Based on these studies, a possible relationships between seedling growth, water content and soluble sugar content in relation to various abiotic stresses were discussed.