Low temperature stress-induced biochemical changes affect stubble bud sprouting in sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrid)

• DOI: 10.1007/s10725-007-9199-6
• Publication Date: 2007-07-16T23:48:19Z
• Authors: Radha Jain; A. K. Shrivastava; S. Solomon; R. L. Yadav
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; 2. Zero hunger; 03 medical and health sciences; 13. Climate action; 15. Life on land

A laboratory experiment was conducted to study the effect of low temperature stress on stubble bud sprouting and associated biochemical changes in sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrid). At 25°C, stubble bud sprouting was about 80%, whereas at 15 and 6°C, it was 56% and 23%, respectively. In stubble buds, the levels of reducing sugars and acid invertase were low, while IAA, total phenols and proline contents were high at low temperatures, as compared to normal temperature (25°C). Similarly, the specific activities of antioxidant enzymes, viz., catalase and peroxidase in stubble buds were higher at low temperatures than at normal temperature. The results indicate that poor sprouting of stubble buds at low temperatures appears to be due to a reduced availability of reducing sugars concomitant with a lower activity of acid invertase. An increased level of IAA together with toxicity build-up in situ due to an accumulation of total phenols may be responsible for the maintenance of dormancy in stubble buds at low temperatures. On the other hand, higher activities of catalase and peroxidase enzymes may protect stubble buds from an oxidative damage, while proline accumulates to act as an osmoprotectant under low temperature stress.