Seasonal Variation in Free Proline Content in Christella dentata (Forssk) Brownsey & Jermy

Abstract

Pteridophytes are shade loving plants which generally require low temperature and  high humidity for their optimum growth. But in spite of xeric and hostile climate, a  good number of pteridophytes grow in various parts of Rajasthan. In the present  investigation, study on stress physiology of the fern Christella dentata has been  attempted, by estimating free proline content in the leaves of this fern. C. dentata is  an orophilous fern i.e. not specific to any particular altitude, habitat or exposure to  sun. The species is also variable with regard to nature of rhizome, height of fronds  and soil moisture. It often forms large dense colonies. It prefers well exposed fringes  of forest and similar localities. Plants growing in shaded areas often have larger  pinnae, greenish stipe and rachis. Water stress plays an important role in the  functioning of various metabolic processes in a plant body. The influence of proline  on the mechanism of drought resistance is well known in angiosperms but its role in  pteridophytes is less studied.