Effect of Water Stress on Composition of Peanut Leaves

Abstract Water stress was induced in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L. cv. Marc 1) plants by withholding water for 5 to 20 d. Leaves from the water-stressed plants were analyzed to determine the effect of water stress on amino acids, sugars, protein content, and polypeptide composition of peanut plants. The results showed that the total protein content of the leaves significantly increased when peanut plants were subjected to water stress for 5 to 20 d as compared to irrigated controls. Analysis of the leaf protein by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed higher levels of polypeptides in stressed leaves compared to the control leaves. Peanut leaves from water-stressed plants also showed higher amounts of free amino acids and soluble sugars as compared to the irrigated plants. Thus, water stress enhanced accumulation of proteins, free amino acids, and soluble sugars in the peanut plants.