The Physiological and Biochemical Effects of Drought Stress on Sheep Sorrel (Rumex acetosella L.)

Authors : Seda Şahin, Hülya Torun

Pages : 340-351

Doi:10.58816/duzceod.1811852

View : 48 | Download : 64

Publication Date : 2025-12-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Sheep sorrel (Rumex acetosella L.) is an herbaceous plant belonging to the Polygonaceae family, known for its sour taste. Its leaves are consumed as food and valued in the health sector for their medicinal properties, giving the plant significant ethnobotanical importance. This study aimed to investigate the effects of drought stress on water availability, membrane stability, biomass, and the antioxidant defense system in sheep sorrel plants. The relative growth rate, water content, osmotic potential, lipid peroxidation levels, hydrogen peroxide concentration, and activities of antioxidant defense enzymes—including superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POX), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and glutathione reductase (GR)—were measured. Drought stress caused decreases in relative growth rate, water content, and osmotic potential in sheep sorrel plants. Additionally, significant increases in lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide levels were observed. Conversely, chlorophyll fluorescence levels were maintained under drought stress, and simultaneous increases in CAT, APX, POX, GR, and SOD enzyme activities indicate an effective antioxidant defense response in the plant.
Keywords : Kuzukulağı, Rumex acetosella, kuraklık stresi, antioksidan savunma

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