RESPONSE OF GROUNDNUT (ARACHIS HYPOGAEA L.) GENOTYPES TO PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS AND DROUGHT STRESS

The present study was carried out to investigate the physiological (relative water content) pod dry weight, pods plant(-1), pod yield (kg plot(-1)), shelling (%), plant height and biochemical (endogenous ABA level) traits of peanut cultivar Swat Phalli-96 under drought stress. The result showed that drought stress significantly (p<0.05) reduced relative water content (RWC), pod dry weight, pods plant(-1), pod yield (kg plot(-1)), shelling (%) and plant height. GA and IAA applied as seed treatment or foliar spray had no significant (p >0.05) effect on various parameters under drought stress conditions. However, foliar application of ABA (10(-4) M) partially ameliorated the adverse effects of drought stress on growth and yield components. Foliar application of ABA to plants when subsequently exposed to drought stress resulted in elevated levels of endogenous ABA. The endogenous ABA levels in shoot increased earlier in response to applied ABA than that of root.