IMPACT OF PRESOWING SOAKING TREATMENT ON LABLAB PURPUREUS L. MAINTAINED AT DIFFERENTIAL WATER SUPPLY

Plants (15 days old) of Lablab purpureus L. raised from seeds soaked with PEG and cycocel exhibited increased leaf area in var 2216, Concomitant to lowered chlorophyll stability index (CSI) values in both the varieties. In PEG treatment, increased proline/g fresh weight was noticed as compared to unsoaked and distilled water soaked seeds. During subsequent development, marginal increase in free proline levels was found in PEG treatments more so, under stressed conditions. Total free Sugars increased in var 836 under stress conditions, particularly in conditioning treatments. The findings indicate that proline and free sugar levels contribute towards osmotic adjustment during water stress conditions, however varietal differences are apparent. Nevertheless, conditioning of seeds with cycocel and PEG has been found to have limited impact.