Comparative responses of four tree legumes plants to PEG-induced water stress at seedling stage

Drought resistance is generally defined as the maintenance of plant production during moderate water deficit. In the present investigation, four tree species ( Bauhinia variegate Linn., Cassia fistula Linn., Delonix regia (Hook.) Raf. and Peltophorum pterocarpum (DC.) K. Heyne) of the family Leguminosae (Fabaceae) were characterized in respect of their responses to water stress. Seedlings of those species (20 days old) exposed to water stress (two levels) were analyzed for relative water content, chlorophyll, protein, carbohydrate and proline content. Considering the comparative biochemical analysis (i.e., loss of chlorophyll and protein, accumulation of sugars and proline) in leaves of seedlings of four investigated plant species, B. variegata and C. fistula , these two plants, showed higher potential for drought tolerance.