Effect of nitrogen application on the phytochemical production in Jatropha curcas L. (Angiosperms: Euphorbiaceae) during drought conditions

Nitrogen is an important nutrient for the successful metabolism of plants, but its occurrence in soil is always very limited. This nutrient has a significant role to preserve plants during various stress conditions by altering the production rate of phytochemicals as defense weapons. Hence, this study was carried out to analyze the effect of nitrogen supply on the phytochemical composition and relative water content in Jatropha curcas L. under a simulated drought condition. The selected seedlings were grown from stem cuttings and categorized into different treated three groups along with the control. After the completion of the experiment, the growth pattern and phytochemical production were investigated. An increased malondialdehyde activity (MDA) was reported with a reduction in relative water content (RWC) of the leaf and in the biomass of seedlings under drought stress. A significant decrease in the levels of alkaloids, phenol, flavonoids and tannins with an increase in saponins and terpenoids was also observed in only simulated drought stressed plants. While a significant increase in the levels of total alkaloid, tannins, flavonoids and phenols was observed in those plants where exogenous nitrogen was supplied before the start of drought periods, unlike in treated and control plants. Therefore, it was revealed that application of Nitrogen enabled the plants to possess protective mechanism through the production of phytochemicals that facilitate the cell membrane to reduce the detrimental effects caused by drought stress.