Water Stress Response in Different <i>Jatropha curcas</i> Accessions from Different Geographical Zones of Botswana: Biochemical & Physiological Perceptive

Abstract

Jatropha curcas L. is one climate smart drought-resistant multipurpose plant with a variety of properties that have conjured interest all over the world due to its potential to produce biofuel. In this study, Jatropha curcas accessions were collected from three different climate zones of Botswana; Northern region (Maun), Central region (Mmadinare) and Southern region (Thamaga). These accessions were subjected to water stress to study their biochemical and physiological responses. Results showed that water stress increased malondialdehyde (MDA) content, electrolyte leakage as well as proline content in all the accessions. It is worth-noting that Maun accession exhibited highest proline content, when subjected to water stress. Maun accession also displayed less MAD and electrolyte leakage than the other two accessions, an indication of less perturbation to membranes under water stress. This could be attributed in part, to its higher catalase and superoxide dismutase contents, which presumably prevented lipid peroxidation by mopping up reactive oxygen species. The slightly higher dry weights exhibited by Mmadinare and Maun accessions could be ascribed to their ability to maintain membrane integrity under water stress conditions. It can therefore be concluded that Maun and Mmadinare accessions can be grown under drought conditions commonly experienced in Botswana.