Discipline: Chemistry and Chemical Sciences
Subcategory: Plant Research
Timothy Lenox - University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Co-Author(s): Joseph Onyilagha, University of Arkansas, Pine Bluff, AR
Earlier studies indicate that when subjected to water stress, plant species tend to accumulate high amounts of sugar in form of water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) in their stems. It is not clear whether the accumulation of WSC is a measure of drought tolerate among species, and whether accumulation of WSC is wide spread in all plants or a curiosity among some species. Our present investigation was focused on solid stems of some water stressed (dry) and irrigated wheat-lines such as McNeal and Thatcher. These lines were obtained from the wheat germplasm pool of the Montana State University. Solid stems of irrigated and non-irrigated (water stressed) McNeal and Thatcher lines were weighed and ground into powder. Same amount of powdered stem was extracted over time with same volume of distilled water. WSC in each line was measured as a %Brix with a PAL-1 refractometer (ATAGO). Sugar concentration gradient was determined by graphing %Brix against known concentrations of glucose. Results indicate that wheat stems of water stressed wheat lines accumulate higher WSC than irrigated lines. The implication of this finding with respect to survivability in dry conditions is discussed.
Funder Acknowledgement(s): NSF/HBCU-UP program
Faculty Advisor: Joseph Onyilagha, onyilaghaj@uapb.edu
Role: I was the lead researcher on the project. I participated in every step from beginning to end.