Vegetos
(An International Journal of Plant Research & Biotechnology)
(eISSN: 2229-4473)
Physiological and biochemical responses of hydroponically grown Catharanthus roseus to mild dehydration stress
*Article not assigned to an issue yet
Chu Ha Duc, Doan Phuong Mai, Nguyen Anh Duc, Dong Gioi Huy, Tran Huyen Thanh Thi
Research Article | Published: 07 August, 2026
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Keywords: n Catharanthus roseusn , Polyethylene glycol 6000, Hydroponics, Mild dehydration stress, Osmotic adjustment
Abstract
Mild water limitation can alter physiological performance and biochemical metabolism in medicinal plants, but the response pattern depends strongly on species, stress intensity, and growth system. This study evaluated the effects of mild dehydration stress on hydroponically grown Catharanthus roseus using an integrated assessment of growth, water-related traits, and biochemical responses. Uniform 45-day-old plants were transferred to a hydroponic system for 15 days of acclimation, after which mild dehydration was induced by 5% (w/v) polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 for 5 days. Each treatment included five biological replicates, with three plants per replicate. PEG 6000 caused limited growth inhibition, as plant height, shoot length, root length, leaf number, shoot dry weight, root dry weight, and total dry biomass were not significantly affected. However, leaf area decreased from 156.3 to 141.8 cm2 plant−1, and shoot fresh weight (FW) decreased from 12.4 to 11.2 g plant−1. Leaf and root relative water content decreased from 86.4% to 78.2% and from 90.1% to 82.7%, respectively, while Soil Plant Analysis Development values declined from 42.8 to 37.9. Detached leaf water loss after 6 h increased from 31.9% to 40.8%. PEG treatment also increased proline from 2.84 to 4.96 µmol g−1 FW, soluble sugars from 18.6 to 24.9 mg g−1 FW, and malondialdehyde content from 12.4 to 16.3 nmol g−1 FW. Total phenolics, flavonoids, vitamin C, total protein, and soluble solids also increased under PEG treatment. These findings indicate that hydroponically grown C. roseus activates osmotic and antioxidant-related biochemical responses under mild PEG-induced dehydration while maintaining total dry biomass during short-term stress.
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Author Information
Faculty of Agricultural Technology, University of Engineering and Technology, Vietnam National University Hanoi, Hanoi, Vietnam