Transcriptional Regulation in Sugarcane under Water Deficit during Formative Growth Stage

Present study was intended to examine the comparative transcript profile of six drought-responsive genes under water deficit conditions in sugarcane. Two tolerant genotypes of sugarcane Co 98014 and Co 0118 and two sensitive genotypes CoJ 85 and Co 89003 have had the contrast response to water stress were planted in big plastic pots in a complete randomized design. Water deficit conditions were created by water withholding on 120th day. Soil moisture was measured by gravimetric method. The moisture content was observed 23.9, 18.1 and 5.9% on 120th day, 135th and 150th day, respectively (0–20 cm soil depth). The third upper expanded leaf was randomly collected as sample of all three stages. Using quantitative PCR analysis change in mRNA transcript was calculated and the level of mRNA transcript was remarkedly increased for SOD and DroPro gene in tolerant than sensitive genotypes on 150th day whereas DREB and DNAj TFs was observed higher at 135th day as compared to irrigated condition (120th day). Ferredoxin-I and LEA gene transcripts were completely down regulated on 150th day. The fold change was comparatively more down regulated in the sensitive genotypes in compare to tolerant genotypes. The present study endorses the further exploration of these genes and its gene families for the future researchers.