Cajanus cajan shows multiple novel adaptations in response to regular mechanical stress

Abstract

Cajanus cajan is one of the least studied crop plants regarding its responses to stress conditions. Regular mechanical stress suppresses plant physiology and growth at the cellular and systemic levels. In the current study, we have explored morphological, physiological, and anatomical adaptations of C. cajan seedlings to regular mechanical stress. Young seedlings of C. cajan were given mechanical stress in the form of touch for fifteen days and observed for various changes. Touch stimuli caused an immediate release of oxidative burst, suppressed plant growth, increased compactness of the stem tissue, and altered the chlorophyll a/b ratio. We have also identified two novel phenotypes; regular touch stimuli affected the nyctinasty movements of the leaves and also affected the root nodule development. We have identified and studied the expression of four putative touch responsive calcium binding genes, TCH gene homologs, in C. cajan using Arabidopsis TCH gene sequences. At an early time point, the expression of two TCH gene homologs (CcTCH1-1 and CcTCH2-2) were found to be upregulated. This study unravels the novel adaptation displayed by C. cajan in response to mechanical stress that can be used as a phenotypic marker for future studies in this plant.

Keywords: Cajanus cajan; Chlorophyll a/b ratio; Mechanical stress; Nyctinasty; Pigeon pea; ROS; Root nodule; TCH gene.