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Hordeum vulgareL., is a multi-nutrient food grain crop belonging to the family Poaceae with enormous nutrition and economic value. This grass have the potential to be grown under several abiotic stress conditions, like fluoride stress. The present study was carried out to investigate Fourier Transform-Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) expression analysis on two selected cultivars of Hordeum vulgareand to identify the better cultivar that can withstand or tolerate fluoride stress condition. The two selected cultivar seeds of H. vulgare, viz., RD2786 and RD2794 were sown in soil having the pH 5 and grown in clay pots for 1 month. The soil was supplemented with a range of fluoride concentrations (0, 5, 10, 15, 20 ppm). Furthermore, parameters like chlorophyll content, total tannin and antioxidant activities were analyzed using FT-IR. The result revealed that the total tannin, chlorophyll and DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate) scavenging activity were higher in the cultivar RD2786 as compared to RD2794 due to formation of free radicals. Therefore, based on this study it can be recommended that cultivar RD2786 of H. vulgareshould be cultivated by the farmers in the fluoride affected regions due to the osmoprotectant ability it possess to withstand fluoride stress condition.

Millets are usually considered more drought tolerant than other cereals. Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum(L.) R. Br.] could be an alternative to maize (Zea maysL.) for drought hit regions of the world. In this current study, the sensitivity of these two plants was evaluated under a simulated condition of drought stress. Genotypes IP35451 (pearl millet) and LRN1303 (maize) were compared for their tolerance to drought stress. The growth parameters viz., root/shoot ratio and relative water content were reduced drastically in LRN1303 than in IP35451. Photosystem II was also measured and the study revealed a decrease in electron transport rate and photosynthetically active photo flux density in LRN1303 as compared to IP35451 which had an efficient photosynthesis capacity during drought. Malondialdehyde content and concentration of antioxidant enzymes (Ascorbate peroxidase, Catalase, Glutathione reductase and Superoxide dismutase) revealed that the genotype IP35451 (pearl millet) is better adapted to drought as compared to LRN1303 (maize). Moreover, the gene expression study of three identified genes at transcript levels proved their occurrence as indicators for drought tolerance. GBSS11ain leaf and root displayed steady up-regulation under drought stress in IP35451 (pearl millet), and an initial increase with a subsequent down-regulation in LRN1303 (maize). Expression of antioxidant genes revealed that APX1and CAT1in leaves and roots were more remarkably sensitive to drought in IP35451 (pearl millet), however, not for LRN1303 (maize) where they might support better detoxifying action against reactive oxygen species effect under drought condition. The results showed different capacities of LRN1303 (maize) and IP35451 (pearl millet) to activate expression of drought related mRNA. The outcome of the study will be helpful to provide new avenues in future research related to attaining drought tolerant landraces and their genomics.