EFFECT OF DROUGHT STRESS ON GOMPHERENA GLOBOSA

Water is a major limiting factor affecting plant growth, development and yield mainly in arid and semi-arid region where plants are often exposed to periods of water deficit stress which is also known as drought stress (Foyer et al., 1994). Drought and heat stress can cause oxidative stress through the production of reactive oxygen species such as super oxide radicals and hydrogen peroxide. Also the drought, salinity, extreme temperatures and oxidative stress are often interconnected and may induce similar cellular damage. Plant growth and productivity is adversely affected by nature's wrath in the form of various abiotic and biotic stress factors. (Serrano et al., 1999). The effect of water stress in contrast to roots; leaf growth is severely inhibited at the onset of drought. Leaf cell expansion during water stress is regulated by changes in pH and inhibition of growth is mediated by a rapid decrease in extensibility of expanding leaf cell walls.The study was conducted to determine the effect of drought stress on the growth and development of Gampherena globosa. The data recorded for different growth parameters of the plant.

Autorentext

M.Nawaz Asghar, Atif Riaz, Saqi Kosar Abbas M.Nawaz Asghar, Completed his M.Sc(Hons)Horticulture in the year 2010 from the University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan. Currently he is working in the Royale Palm Co. Pakistan.