Heat-induced accumulation of proline and yield components in different cereal varieties

Abstract

Growth, development, and yield of cereals are influenced by high temperature. Recent studies have shown that an important factor in plant adaptation to high temperature can be the proline accumulation. Proline is an amino acid involved in a series of metabolic processes in plants, such as protein stabilizer, antioxidant and osmolite. The aim of this research was to determine the effect of high temperature on the content of proline and yield elements, in different cereal varieties during two vegetative seasons, to compare it with the content of proline in moderate temperature conditions and to isolate varieties more resistant to conditions of heat stress. For research, plant material of 10 genetically divergent cereal varieties was used. The results during the first experimental year showed that under moderate air temperature conditions proline content was 0.66 µmol/g fresh plant (fp), and in the second experimental year 0.77 µmol/g fp.