Abstract

Water imbalance limits growth and antioxidants production in plants. This study assessed varying concentrations (1, 2, 3 and 4g/L) of glycine betanine (GB) on growth, nutritional contents and antioxidant production in beniseed under drought conditions. Plant height (49.40 cm), number of leaf (27), leaf area (231.93 cm2), specific leaf area (57.98 m2kg-1) and leaf area index (0.62m2m-2) were higher in beniseed treated with 4g/L GB compared with lower concentrations of the osmolyte. However, well-watered improved significantly relative growth rate (0.06 mgg-1day-1) and net assimilation rate (0.02gm-2day-1). Chlorophyll a (3.38 mg/g), chlorophyll b (3.81mg/g) and total chlorophyll (7.20 mg/g) showed a significant increase in the plant under 3 g/L GB. Moisture (91.07%), fat (2.74%), ash (3.55%), crude fiber (3.51%) and crude protein (4.47%) were higher (p

Key words: Osmolyte, Osmoregulation, amelioration, oxidative enzymes, water deficit, drought-induced stress