Water Deficit Response in Peanut is Dependent on Abscisic Acid

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) production is often affected by droughts. Furthermore, little is known about the molecular basis of drought stress response of peanut. However, in previous studies, peanut stomata were found to close rapidly during drought stress and in response to plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA). Many genes also showed changes in their expressions.

To determine genes involved in drought stress response in peanut, gene activity in the leaves, roots, and stems of peanut seedlings under water deficit stress with or without abscisic acid pretreatment was analyzed. Samples for the analysis were collected at three growth stages (four-leaf, flowering, and podding stages). Six hundred twenty one (621) genes were found to be induced rapidly under water deficit, 2,665 genes were induced rapidly by water deficit+ABA pretreatment while 279 genes overlapped between water deficit and water deficit+ABA pretreatment. 

Results show that many genes are rapidly induced in peanut in response to water deficit without or with ABA pretreatment. Results also indicate that the main drought response mechanisms in peanut function through an abscisic acid-dependent pathway.

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