PROLINE METABOLISM DURING WATER-STRESS IN SWEET-PEPPER (CAPSICUM-ANNUUM-L) PLANT

The influence of water stress on proline metabolism was studied in 3-month-old sweet pepper plants at four levels of water stress. Leaf water potential was drastically decreased in all treatments. Though leaf area and relative water content were decreased, this was marked only in very severe stress conditions. In stress treatments proline accumulation was observed both in leaves and roots, particularly the latter The enzymes, proline dehydrogenase and proline oxidase, were inhibited under stress conditions; proline oxidase was more inhibited in roots than in leaves. The significance of the relative activities of these two enzymes is discussed.