Biochemical Response of Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) Genotypes to Water Deficit Stress Condition (original) (raw)

Climate change and water shortages are the main challenges to cocoa production worldwide. Raising concerns about climate change and changing rainfall patterns necessitates screening for drought tolerance in cocoa genotypes in order to achieve long-term sustainability of production. The present study was conducted to evaluate the biochemical responses of six cocoa hybrid genotypes under two water deficit conditions, i.e., 100% FC and 40% FC. Biochemical parameters such as proline, nitrate reductase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glycine betaine (GB) were estimated. The biochemical parameters, proline, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glycine betaine (GB) content were increased under drought stress condition at 40% FC. However, nitrate reductase recorded a decline in its activity under drought stress in all the genotypes. The results revealed that all the parameters were significantly differed in both the water deficit conditions and among the cocoa genotypes. The results of the study concluded that, there is a role or involvement of these parameters in imparting drought tolerance to cocoa and these biochemical parameters can be used as a promising biomarkers or indicators for identifying stress tolerance in cocoa.

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