Effect of Water Stress on Biochemical and Physiological Characteristics of Oat Genotypes

Activities of enzymes catalase, peroxidase, and level of total soluble proteins were studied in two genotypes (JHO 884, JHO 888) of oat ( Avena sativa L.) subjected to water stress for 1, 3, and 4 days by withholding water in a pot culture experiment. No change was observed in the level of total soluble proteins at early stage but it increased significantly at higher magnitude of water stress. Increase in catalase activity was noticed in JHO 884 whereas reverse trend was observed in JHO 888 at highest level of stress. The JHO 884 genotype showed increase in peroxidase activity from the first day of water stress. Results suggest that the efficiency level of antioxidant system is found different in these two genotypes.