Pre-Sowing Seed Treatment with Glucose Boosts the Photosynthetic Efficiency, Metabolic Enzymes and Antioxidant Defense System to increase the Growth of <i>Abelmoschus esculentus</i> (L.) Moench

Glucose (Glc) accumulates in leaves as minor product, synthesized during photosynthesis and is famous to control a wide array of plant physiological processes. Hence, is required to assess the role of Glc, when it is supplied exogenously. Seeds of Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench were soaked in different concentrations of Glc (0, 20, 30 and 40 mM) for 4, 8, or 12hrs and later sown in pots with soil and farmyard manure (6:1). Sampling was done at 45-day stage of growth to assess the various biological and biochemical parameters. Pre-sowing treatment of Glc enhanced the growth and metabolism of plants in the following order: 30 mM> 20 mM> 40 mM> 0 mM. Glc promoted gaseous exchange parameters including net photosynthetic rate. It also augmented the activities of enzymes of carbon and nitrogen metabolism. Moreover, it boosts the defence system by increasing activities of antioxidant enzymes along with proline content. Maximum response was noted in the plants emerging from the seeds soaked in 30 mM of Glc for 4hrs. The elevation in photosynthetic efficiency and antioxidant generation proved beneficial in improving the growth of the plant.