Quantitative expression analysis of drought responsive genes in clones of Hevea with varying levels of drought tolerance.

In order to meet the ever rising global demand for natural rubber, cultivation of Hevea is being extended to non-traditional regions of India where extreme climatic conditions like drought and low temperature negatively influence the crop performance. In order to ensure maximum productivity, identification of drought tolerant clones of Hevea which can cope up with stress and give better crop yield is essential. Several attempts have been made previously to identify genes that are associated with drought tolerance in Hevea. In the present study, quantitative expression analysis was made using quantitative PCR for seven drought associated transcripts in four clones of Hevea with varying levels of drought tolerance. Among the seven genes studied, Mitogen Activated Protein (MAP) kinase, Myeloblastosis (Myb) transcription factor, C-repeat responsive element/Dehydration Responsive Element (CRT/DRE) binding factor and Nuclear Factor Y subunit A (NFYA) showed a positive association with drought tolerance. Transcripts of ascorbate peroxidase and heat shock protein 70 (HSP 70) did not show any correlation with drought tolerance. Interestingly, catalase gene was found down regulated in all the clones under drought condition. The possible role of these genes based on their level of gene expression in four different clones of Hevea with varying levels of drought tolerance is discussed.