Solanum lycocarpum is a typical species from the "cerrado" vegetation in Central Brazil and has shown drought resistance under environmental conditions. Osmotic adjustment refers to a decrease in osmotic potential caused by accumulation of solutes and the continuous accumulation of solutes must occur in tissues to maintain the water potential gradient necessary for cell enlargement and turgor maintenance. The influence of water stress on osmotic potential and soluble carbohydrate levels was investigated in this research. The analyses of the results showed a decrease in osmotic potential in response to water stress. An increase in the carbohydrate levels was observed in plants under stress conditions in greenhouse. Reducing sugars were the major contributors to soluble carbohydrates levels detected in leaves and roots. These results suggested that Solanum lycocarpum plants showed a mechanism of adaptation to survival in water stress conditions.
Osmotic adjustment; water stress; "cerrado" vegetation; savannah; carbohydrate
