Tropical Plant Research

Devyani Dev, Omisha Kannaojiya and Kumari Sunita*

*Plant Physiology and Biochemistry Lab, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gorakhpur University, Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, India

DOI: https://doi.org/10.22271/tpr.2023.v10.i2.009

Abstract:
Water stress, induced by drought, is a significant environmental factor that adversely affects the growth and physiological processes of plants, including Tulsi Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi). In this study, we investigated the effect of water stress on the growth, photosynthetic pigments, nitrogen content, and protein content of Tulsi plants. To assess the impact of water stress on Tulsi, three sets of plants were subjected to different irrigation regimes: well-watered (control group), moderate and severe (experimental group). The water-stressed plants were subjected to reduced water supply to mimic drought conditions, while the control group received optimal watering throughout the experiment. The results revealed that water stress significantly impacted the growth of Tulsi plants. The water-stressed plants exhibited reduced shoot and root growth, as well as decreased leaf area, compared to the well-watered plants. Additionally, the photosynthetic pigments, including chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids, were significantly lower in the water-stressed plants, indicating an impairment of photosynthetic activity. In conclusion, water stress caused by drought has a detrimental effect on Tulsi plants, leading to reduced growth, impaired photosynthetic pigments, decreased nitrogen content, and lower protein levels. Understanding the physiological responses of Tulsi to water stress can aid in devising appropriate strategies for conserving and managing water resources in agricultural practices while sustaining the growth and productivity of this valuable medicinal plant.