Vol. 9, Issue 1, Part D (2025)

The present study investigated the biochemical basis of submergence tolerance in sugarcane by evaluating 15 genotypes under partial submergence stress. A pot experiment was conducted at the PGI Glass House, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, during 2024, with biochemical analysis performed in the Department of Biochemistry. The study assessed chlorophyll content, activities of antioxidative enzymes ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione content and as well as sucrose metabolism-related enzyme sucrose synthase. Genotype MSK-2018-261 demonstrated superior performance, retaining the highest chlorophyll content (2.46-1.51 mg g⁻¹ FW in fully submerged and 2.63-1.61 mg g⁻¹ FW in non-submerged portion of leaves). It exhibited the highest APX activity, ranging from 401.4 to 598.0 ɳmoles in fully submerged and 297.7 to 433.1 ɳmoles in non-submerged portion of leaves. Additionally, MSK-2018-261 achieved the highest glutathione content (46.80 mg g⁻¹ FW in fully submerged and 44.0 mg g⁻¹ FW in non-submerged portion of leaves) and sucrose synthase activity 1.46-0.96 μmole in fully submerged and 1.48-1.19 μmole in non-submerged leaves of leaves after 20 days of partial submergence. Genotypes MSK-2018-41 and MSK-2018-223 also performed better under fully submerged and non-fully submerged portion of leaves.