Proline Metablism During Water Stress in

The influence of water stress on proline metabolism was studied in 3-month-old mulberry 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, drastic decrease was observed only in very severe stress treatments. Proline accumulation was observed both in roots and leaves in stress treatments; but accumulation was greater in roots than in leaves. 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.