Effects of Simulated Drought Stress on Secondary Metabolite Production in Red Mangrove (Rhizophora mangle L.; Rhizophoraceae)
E. N. Iwuala *
Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Federal University Oye Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria
A. Alam
Department of Biotechnology, Banasthali University, Rajasthan, India
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
An experiment was performed to determine the response of drought on the phytochemical production in Rhizophora mangle L. Seedlings raised from the plant body (propagule) were exposed to water deficit condition for 10 days. Growth and quantitative analysis of the phytochemical compound were analysed after the drought treatments. It was observed that R. mangle was susceptible to drought stress. Drought treatment resulted in the reduction of phytochemical content and Relative water content (RWC). The results showed that drought affects the secondary metabolite contents along with damages caused in R. mangle.
Keywords: Drought, growth, propagules, secondary metabolites, Rhizophora mangle