Proline accumulation inTephrosia purpurea pers

Tephrosia purpurea Pers. was found to accumulate high proline content in dry habitat. The proline content was higher in shoots, especially in leaves, than in roots. Pod walls and young seeds showed the highest proline content. The proline content of young leaves was higher than that of mature and old leaves. During leaf senescencein vitro proline content increased rapidly upto 6 h and further decreased in leaves as well as in leachate. High proline content seems to be positively related with 'survival capability' of this plant.