ASSESSMENT OF OXIDATIVE STRESS BIOMARKERS IN ABELMOSCHUS ESCULENTUS PRIMED WITH SALICYLIC ACID UNDER DROUGHT STRESS SIMULATED WITH POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL (PEG) 6000
Abstract
Drought stress is a major abiotic stress that affect crop productivity, often leading to oxidative
damage through excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS).Okra(Abelmoschus
esculentus) is popular in Asian and African countries due to its high protein, carbohydrate,
mineral, vitamin, and antioxidant content. Salicylic acid (SA), a phenolic compound and plant
hormone, plays a role in regulating plant responses to biotic and abiotic stress. This study
assessed oxidative stress biomarkers in Abelmoschus esculentus (okra) primed with salicylic acid
(SA) under drought stress simulated using polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000). Okra seeds were
primed with 0.25Mm, 0.5Mm and 1.0 mM salicylic acid and exposed to drought conditions,
while unprimed seeds served as drought controls (DCON). Oxidative stress biomarkers such as
lipid peroxidation (LPO), hydrogen peroxide (2O2), and nitric oxide (NO) were measured.
Results showed that drought stress significantly increased malondialdehyde (0.023 µM MDA/mg
protein), hydrogen peroxide (40µmol/mg protein.), and nitric oxide (0.27 NO/mg protein) in
unprimed plants (DCON), indicating severe oxidative damage. While the plant primed with
0.25mM, 0.5mM and 1.0mM showed a decrease in the malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen
peroxide (2O2), and nitric oxide (NO) level. Salicylic acid priming reduced these biomarkers
and enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities, reflecting improved drought tolerance. The study
concludes that salicylic acid priming is effective in mitigating oxidative stress by strengthening
the antioxidant defense system in okra.
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