Analysis of Anti-oxidant Enzyme Activity in Sugarcane Varieties under Moisture Stress

The bio-chemical activity in eight sugarcane varieties was studied in a poly bag experiment at Agricultural Research Station, Basanthpur, Medak, India. The anti-oxidant enzyme activity in terms of superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activity in sugarcane genotypes increased upon exposure to moisture stress for 20 days at formative stage (120 DAP) and the maximum was found in the varieties Co 95020 and Co 87025 ranging from 109 to 122 and 20 to 21 eu/100 ml/gram fresh weight, respectively. The relative water content ranged from 10.92 to 37.72% among the varieties due to water stress with maximum reduction in Co 8014 (37.72%). Moisture stress at formative stage has also reduced the cane yield by 19.62 per cent as compared to irrigated treatment. The least reduction in cane yield was noticed in Co 87025 (11.76%) and Co 95020 (11.21%). The increase in anti-oxidant enzyme activity during stress was also found significant and positively correlated with relative water content and cane yield up to 78 and 63%, respectively.