Effect of exogenous abscisic acid on growth, biochemical changes and antioxidant enzyme activities in black gram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper] under drought

Drought stress is a significant limitation to the production and yield of black gram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper] and abscisic acid plays a subtle role in the biosynthetic pathway during drought stress. The present study examined the morphology, biochemical, relative water content and antioxidant activities of black gram plants treated with various abscisic acid (ABA) levels under drought conditions. The ABA at 50 ppm concentration showed promising recovery of morphological characters compared to other concentrations. The photosynthetic pigments, biochemical constituents, malondialdehyde and antioxidant enzymes (CAT, POD, SOD and APX) were active at 50 ppm. Infrared Spectroscopic (IR) analysis of black gram leaves in a bandwidth ranging from 400 to 4000 cm(-1) revealed a change in metabolites under drought stress and exogenous ABA application. The FTIR spectroscopy results warrant that the expression of functional organic compounds in the drought response of black gram can aid in the discovery of new drought-tolerant traits. As a result, ABA-responsive cultivars can cultivate and produce drought-resistant black gram varieties in arid and semi-arid climates.