Antioxidant Enzymes and Osmolyte Accumulation in Okra Cultivars under Drought Stress

Authors

• Jawad Ali, Department of Agriculture, University of Swabi, Anbar Swabi 23561, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
• Ibadullah Jan, Department of Agriculture, University of Swabi, Anbar Swabi 23561, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
• Hidayat Ullah, Department of Agriculture, University of Swabi, Anbar Swabi 23561, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
• Muhammad Adnan, Department of Agriculture, University of Swabi, Anbar Swabi 23561, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, PakistanFollow
• Shah Fahad, Department of Agronomy, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
• Hassan Alsberi, Department of Biology, College of Science, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
• Khulud Albalawi, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 71491, Saudi Arabia
• Hakki Akdeniz, Department of Field Crops, Faculty of Agriculture, Iğdır University, 7600-Iğdır, Turkey
• Manzoor Ahmmad, Department of Agriculture, Bacha Khan University, Charsadda, Pakistan
• Beena Saeed, Department of Agriculture, University of Swabi, Anbar Swabi 23561, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
• Noor Us Sabah, Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, College of Agriculture, University of Sargodha, 40100, Pakistan
• Mian Sayed Khan, Department of Zoology, The University of Swabi, Anbar Swabi 23561, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, PakistanFollow
• Abdul Basir, Department of Agriculture, University of Swabi, Anbar Swabi 23561, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, PakistanFollow
• Muhammad Romman, Department of Botany, University of Chitral, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
• Ayman El Sabagh, Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Kafrelsheikh, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt

Publication Date

12-1-2025

Abstract

Drought stress brought about by worsening environmental conditions due to climate change has increasingly damaging effects on crop production systems. To mitigate these effects, several physiological and biochemical aspects of plants could be used as markers in breeding for the selection of drought-resistant cultivars. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the performance of 8 okra cultivars (Arka Anamika, Punjab Selection, Posaswami, Tulsi, Subz Pari, Super Green, Local Multani, and Green Star) under well-watered (control), mild drought stress, and severe drought stress conditions by irrigating plants at an interval of 3, 6, and 9 d after 30 d of planting. Results indicated that drought stress induced oxidative stress in plants that led to increased production of reactive oxygen species, which resulted in reduced chlorophyll and carotenoid contents. There was also an increase in plant proline, anthocyanin contents, and antioxidant enzymes (ascorbate peroxidase, peroxidase, and catalase). Among the okra cultivars, Arka Anamika showed the most resistance to drought stress due to high antioxidant enzymatic activity, increased accumulation of anthocyanins, proline, chlorophyll, and carotenoids, while Super Green exhibited the least resistance and was found to be most sensitive to drought stress. In conclusion, okra cultivar Arka Anamika’s improved physiology and enhanced biochemical activities compared with other cultivars evaluated under drought stress highlight its potential for use in future breeding programs for the development of drought-tolerant cultivars.

Recommended Citation

Ali, Jawad; Jan, Ibadullah; Ullah, Hidayat; Adnan, Muhammad; Fahad, Shah; Alsberi, Hassan; Albalawi, Khulud; Akdeniz, Hakki; Ahmmad, Manzoor; Saeed, Beena; Sabah, Noor Us; Khan, Mian Sayed; Basir, Abdul; Romman, Muhammad; and Sabagh, Ayman El (2025) "Antioxidant Enzymes and Osmolyte Accumulation in Okra Cultivars under Drought Stress," The Philippine Agricultural Scientist: Vol. 108: No. 4, Article 3.
Available at: https://www.ukdr.uplb.edu.ph/pas/vol108/iss4/3