Effects of Proline Applications on Plant Growth and Enzyme Activities in Forage Pea (Pisum sativum ssp. arvense L.) under Different Water Limit Conditions

This study was conducted in 2024 in the greenhouses of Atatürk University plant production center in order to determine the effects of proline applications during the seedling period on plant development and some physiological and biochemical properties in forage pea grown under drought stress. The research was conducted in the form of a pot experiment with 3 irrigation levels [full irrigation (%100) (d0), 70% of field capacity (d1) and 40% of field capacity (d2)] and four proline applications (0, 5, 10, 20 mM) in 3 replications according to the completely randomized design. At the end of the experimental period, plant development parameters and some physiological and biochemical measurements and analyses were made in forage pea plants and the differences between the applications were evaluated. According to the research findings, significant differences emerged between the applications and levels. The effect of proline applications on plant development (plant height, stem diameter, fresh, dry weight, etc.) and some plant physiological and biochemical parameters [tissue electrical conductivity (mp), tissue relative water content (rwc), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malondialdehyde (mda), proline] was significant. At the end of the study, it was determined that drought conditions negatively affected plant development and decreased rwc and stomatal conductance. However, proline application improved plant development in forage pea under drought conditions and decreased rwc content compared to the control. As a result; it can be said that proline application affected the plant more positively in non-drought conditions.