Enhanced water regulation, antioxidant capacity, and resilience of Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench in drought stress

Abstract

The discovery of plants that are capable of tolerating severe abiotic pressures is vital for the development of environmentally friendly agriculture. This is because a variety of metabolic functions, especially photosynthesis, are inhibited as a result of high heat and drought. Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench, more generally known to as okra, is a member of the Malvaceae family. It is resistant to harsh climatic circumstances, mainly drought and heat, and its leaves and berries continue to offer a substantial quality of nutrients. The current investigation was conducted to assess the effects of drought stress on the growth, physiology, enzyme activity, and water consumption efficiency of Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench. Twenty-five potting pots, one of which acted as a control, were utilized in the experiment, which was developed following a pattern called Completely Randomized Block Design. Plant height, leaf number, stem girth, root length, shoot length, shoot weight, relative water content, and leaf area ratio were all shown to decrease when the plant was exposed to drought stress. Additionally, the efficiency with which water was utilized also dropped. The length of time that the stress treatment was delivered, as well as the activity of antioxidant enzymes including the enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD), were all elevated. Nevertheless, both the stress tolerance index and the chlorophyll levels were lower than they were previously. The plants that were treated to drought displayed improved antioxidant capacity, water regulation, and drought stress resistance when compared to the group that acted as the control. Underscoring the adaptability of Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench to locations prone to drought is the fact that these observations were achieved. They supply important data for exploring drought tolerance in this species and creating water management approaches for its production.