干旱胁迫下油橄榄品种光合特性研究

为揭示油橄榄(Olea europaea L.)耐旱性与光合特性之间的关系,以筛选出的适宜于半干旱川西南地区种植的7个引进油橄榄品种为供试材料,采用盆栽模拟干旱胁迫的方法,研究持续干旱胁迫对其光合特性的影响。结果表明:(1)随着干旱胁迫程度加剧,7个油橄榄品种叶片相对含水量均显著降低,至干旱胁迫后期(25d),各品种叶片均出现大幅失水,其中品种‘科拉蒂’失水率最高(45.79%),而品种‘小苹果’失水率最低(25.52%),说明‘小苹果’叶片在干旱胁迫下较其他油橄榄品种具有更高保水能力。(2)随着干旱胁迫程度加剧,7个油橄榄品种叶片光合色素含量均不同程度降低,表明光合色素分解量大于合成量;干旱胁迫持续25d时,品种‘豆果’的叶绿素a和叶绿素b含量下降幅度最大(P0.05),品种‘皮削利’类胡萝卜素含量下降幅度最大(P0.05),而品种‘小苹果’叶绿素a含量下降幅度最小。(3)随着干旱胁迫的持续进行,各油橄榄品种叶片净光合速率(Pn)、蒸腾速率(Tr)、气孔导度(Gs)和胞间CO2浓度(Ci)均不同程度降低,而水分利用效率(WUE)则呈上升趋势;干旱胁迫期间,品种‘佛奥’的Pn、Tr和Ci以及‘皮削利’的Gs降幅均高于其他品种,而‘小苹果’的Pn、Gs和Ci降幅均为最小且WUE上升幅度最大。研究发现,在持续干旱胁迫条件下,油橄榄幼苗叶片均大幅失水,光合色素结构被破坏、色素分解、含量降低,同时气孔关闭蒸发减少,光合作用减弱,而供试油橄榄品种中‘小苹果’对干旱胁迫的适应性最强,适宜于在半干旱的川西地区种植。     

Early growth,dry matter allocation and water use efficiency of two sympatric Populus species as affected by water stress

We exposed cuttings of two sympatric species of Sect. Tacamahaca Spach, Populus cathayana Rehder and Populus przewalskii Maximowicz, to two watering regimes in a greenhouse. In the semi-controlled environmental study, two watering treatments which were watered to 100 and 25% of field capacity were used, respectively. The effects of water deficit on early growth, biomass allocation and water use efficiency (WUE) were investigated. We found that there were significant interspecific differences in early growth, dry matter allocation and water use efficiency between two sympatric Populus species. Compared with P. cathayana, P. przewalskii showed higher shoot height, dry matter accumulation, number of leaves, total leaf area, fine root mass, fine root/total root ratio and water use efficiency under both well-watered and water-stressed treatments. On the other hand, P. przewalskii also showed higher root mass/foliage area ratio, root/shoot ratio and carbon isotope composition than P. cathayana under water-stressed treatment. The results suggested that there were different water-use strategies between two sympatric Populus species, P. przewalskii with higher drought tolerance may employ a conservative water-use strategy, whereas P. cathayana with lower drought tolerance may employ a prodigal water-use strategy. The findings confirm the existence of interspecific genetic differences in early growth, dry matter allocation and water use efficiency as affected by water stress, these variations in drought responses may be used as criteria for species selection and tree improvement.     

Carbon isotope composition,water-use efficiency and biomass productivity of Eucalyptus microtheca populations under different water supplies

Variation in carbon isotope composition (δ¹³C), water-use efficiency (WUE) and biomass productivity were compared among three populations of Eucalyptus microtheca F. Muell. in a greenhouse. Seedlings were maintained under one well-watered (Control, keeping the soil at field capacity) and two different water deficit conditions (Drought stress I, keeping the same soil water content; Drought stress II, keeping the same soil water supply). In each treatment, significant population differences in δ¹³C, WUE, and dry matter accumulation and allocation were detected. A negative correlation between WUE and biomass productivity was detected under control and drought stress I, but a positive correlation under drought stress II. The results suggested that there were different water-use strategies among the populations, the southeastern population with lower WUE may employ a prodigal water-use strategy, whereas the northwestern and central populations with higher WUE may employ a conservative water-use strategy. This knowledge may be useful as criteria for genotype selection within a breeding program for this species. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

An inland and a coastal population of the Mediterranean xero-halophyte species Atriplex halimus L. differ in their ability to accumulate proline and glycinebetaine in response to salinity and water stress

Soil salinity and drought compromise water uptake and lead toosmotic adjustment in xero-halophyte plant species. These importantenvironmental constraints may also have specific effects onplant physiology. Stress-induced accumulation of osmocompatiblesolutes was analysed in two Tunisian populations of the Mediteraneanshrub Atriplex halimus L.—plants originating from a salt-affectedcoastal site (Monastir) or from a non-saline semi-arid area(Sbikha)—were exposed to nutrient solution containingeither low (40 mM) or high (160 mM) doses of NaCl or 15% polyethyleneglycol. The low NaCl dose stimulated plant growth in both populations.Plants from Monastir were more resistant to high salinity andexhibited a greater ability to produce glycinebetaine in responseto salt stress. Conversely, plants from Sbikha were more resistantto water stress and displayed a higher rate of proline accumulation.Proline accumulated as early as 24 h after stress impositionand such accumulation was reversible. By contrast, glycinebetaineconcentration culminated after 10 d of stress and did not decreaseafter the stress relief. The highest salt resistance of Monastirplants was not due to a lower rate of Na⁺ absorption; plantsfrom this population exhibited a higher stomatal conductanceand a prodigal water-use strategy leading to lower water-useefficiency than plants from Sbikha. Exogenous application ofproline (1 mM) improved the level of drought resistance in Monastirplants through a decrease in oxidative stress quantified bythe malondialdehyde concentration, while the exogenous applicationof glycinebetaine improved the salinity resistance of Sbikhaplants through a positive effect on photosystem II efficiency. Key words: Atriplex halimus, glycinebetaine, halophyte, NaCl, osmotic adjustment, proline, salinity, water stress     

不同种源乌桕幼苗对干旱胁迫的生理响应

以不同种源1年生乌桕幼苗为材料,采用盆栽控水试验研究了持续干旱条件下其外部形态及主要生理指标的变化,探讨各种源乌桕的抗旱性特性与差异。结果显示:(1)随着干旱持续时间的延长,各种源乌桕幼苗生长均受到不同程度抑制,外形表现出明显的缺水特征;其叶片相对含水量逐渐减小,复水后明显回升。(2)在极度干旱条件下(停水后第12天),幼苗叶片净光合作用速率仍维持一定的强度,而且细胞膜透性的变化不显著;在干旱胁迫条件下,幼苗叶片的过氧化物酶和超氧化物歧化酶活性增强,可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白质质量分数增加,丙二醛含量上升,脯氨酸积累,复水后呈现相反的变化趋势。(3)极度干旱条件下,不同种源乌桕幼苗间除丙二醛和相对电导率外,其它生理指标的变化差异显著或极显著,即不同种源具备比较稳定的抗旱性差异。(4)采用隶属函数法对不同种源幼苗的抗旱性分析发现,安徽黄山、河南商城两种源综合评价指数最大,为抗旱性较强的种源。研究表明,各种源乌桕幼苗能够通过调控自身保护酶活性和渗透调节物质含量来有效缓解干旱胁迫的伤害,从而表现出较强的抗旱性和适应性,但种源间存在稳定的差异,并以安徽黄山和河南商城种源抗旱性较强,可应用推广于季节性干旱区造林。     

In vitro Propagation and Isozyme Polymorphism of the Medicinal Plant Hypericum brasiliense

Responses of 20 d-old plants of two Brassica napus L. cultivars Dunkeld and Cyclon to NaCl salinized soil [electrical conductivity 2.4 (control), 4.0, 8.0 or 12.0 dS m⁻¹] were examined. The salt tolerant line Dunkeld had significantly higher fresh and dry masses of shoots, and seed yield than salt sensitive line Cyclon in all salinities. The effect of salt stress on reduction in total leaf soluble sugars was markedly greater in Dunkeld as compared to that in Cyclon. No effect of salt stress was observed on leaf soluble proteins but there was a slight increase in total free amino acids of both cultivars. Leaf proline content increased markedly in both cultivars and Dunkeld had greater proline content than Cyclon at all salinities. Salt stress had no significant effect on seed oil content and erucic acid content of seed oil, however, content of glucosinolates in the seed meal increased and Cyclon had greater content of glucosinolates than Dunkeld. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) varieties adopt strongly contrasting strategies in response to drought

Sorghum is one of the most drought tolerant crops but surprisingly, little is known about the mechanisms achieving this. We have compared physiological and biochemical responses to drought in two sorghum cultivars with contrasting drought tolerance. These closely related cultivars have starkly contrasting responses to water deficit. In the less tolerant Samsorg 40, drought induced progressive loss of photosynthesis. The more drought tolerant Samsorg 17 maintained photosynthesis, transpiration and chlorophyll content until the most extreme conditions. In Samsorg 40, there was a highly specific down‐regulation of selected proteins, with loss of PSII and Rubisco but maintenance of PSI and cytochrome b₆f, allowing plants to maintain ATP synthesis. The nitrogen released allows for accumulation of glycine betaine and proline. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of specific reengineering of the photosynthetic apparatus in response to drought. In contrast, in Samsorg 17 we detected no substantial change in the photosynthetic apparatus. Rather, plants showed constitutively high soluble sugar concentration, enabling them to maintain transpiration and photosynthesis, even in extremely dry conditions. The implications for these strikingly contrasted strategies are discussed in relation to agricultural and natural systems.     

4种茶菊对干旱胁迫的形态和生理响应

以4种茶菊幼苗为材料,采用盆栽控水法,研究了不同强度干旱胁迫下茶菊形态、生理生化及光合生长的响应特性,并对其进行耐旱性评价。结果显示,随着干旱胁迫程度的增强,各茶菊幼苗叶片数增量、叶面积、生物量、叶片相对含水量、净光合速率(Pn)、蒸腾速率(Tr)和气孔导度(Gs)降低;根冠比、丙二醛(MDA)含量、脯氨酸(Pro)含量、可溶性蛋白(SPC)含量和叶绿素(Chl)含量增加;胞间CO2(Ci)浓度先降后升;乳荷、黄滁龙株高增量持续降低,而玉人面、繁白露株高增量先升后降;玉人面叶超氧化物歧化酶活性(SOD)呈先升后降趋势,其它3个品种则持续升高。运用隶属函数法对抗旱能力进行综合评定,不同茶菊品种耐旱性由高到低为乳荷黄滁龙繁白露玉人面。     

盐分和干旱对沙枣幼苗生理特性的影响

以沙枣(Elaeagnus angustifolia L.)幼苗为实验材料,分别对其进行轻度干旱(土壤含水量7%—9%)、重度干旱(土壤含水量3%—5%)、100 mmol/L NaCl以及100 mmol/L NaCl处理下不同程度的盐旱共胁迫处理,处理2周后测其生理指标,包括生长指标、光合指标、渗透调节指标以及复水后生长指标,研究盐旱共胁迫对沙枣幼苗生理特性的影响。结果表明:和对照相比,轻度干旱对沙枣幼苗的生物量没有显著影响,重度干旱处理明显降低了沙枣的生物量,无论是轻度干旱还是重度干旱,都显著降低了沙枣幼苗的净光合速率、K~+含量,显著增加了Na~+含量、脯氨酸含量、可溶性糖含量、有机酸含量、总酚和类黄酮含量;和对照相比,100 mmol/L NaCl处理显著降低了沙枣幼苗的生物量、净光合速率和K~+含量,显著增加了Na~+含量、脯氨酸含量、可溶性糖含量、有机酸含量、总酚和类黄酮含量;和盐处理相比,轻度干旱和盐分共胁迫对沙枣幼苗的各项指标没有显著差异,而重度干旱和盐分共胁迫明显降低了沙枣幼苗的生物量、净光合速率;复水一周后,只有轻度干旱可以回复到对照水平。以上结果表明,盐分和干旱处理明显抑制了沙枣幼苗的生长,轻度干旱和盐分共胁迫条件下,沙枣幼苗表现出一定的交叉适应现象,而重度干旱却加重了盐害。     

Changes in gas exchange, proline accumulation and antioxidative enzyme activities in three olive cultivars under contrasting water availability regimes

Changes in photosynthetic performance, osmolyte accumulation and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) were investigated in one-year-old olive cultivars (Chemlali, Meski and Picholine) subjected to contrasting water availability regimes under arid climatic conditions in Tunisia. Shoot elongation rates (SER) and photosynthetic performance were markedly reduced by the water deficit regime (WD) in all cultivars except for Chemlali, which proved to be superior to the other two cultivars with respect to drought tolerance. Higher photosynthetic performance (net photosynthesis (P_n), stomatal conductance (g_s) and transpiration rates (E)) in the Chemlali and Meski cvs. compared to Picholine olive allowed them to maintain better plant water status and shoot elongation rates. Under WD conditions, Chemlali showed a greater capability for proline accumulation. Leaves grown under WD conditions showed signs of oxidative stress such as reduced chlorophyll and carotenoid concentrations. Nevertheless, different cultivars developed certain antioxidative defense mechanisms, including elevated SOD, APX and CAT activities. In contrast, PPO activity decreased under WD circumstances. Comparatively, Chemlali olive displayed better antioxidative enzyme activity, and thus better protection against oxidative stress. These results show that the ability of olive trees to up-regulate the enzymatic antioxidative system might be an important attribute linked to drought tolerance. These findings demonstrate that the association of higher P_n, proline accumulation and antioxidative defenses could be effective in a water-limited environment and may be useful selection criteria in breeding programs with the objective of improving drought tolerance and growth of olive trees, at least under the described environmental conditions.     

干旱胁迫对降香黄檀幼苗光合生理特性的影响

采用温室盆栽方法,设置对照(CK)、轻度(LS)、中度(MS)和重度(HS)干旱胁迫4个水分条件,研究不同水分条件对降香黄檀幼苗光合和生理特性的影响。结果表明:(1)随着干旱胁迫程度增加,降香黄檀幼苗叶片叶绿素总含量总体呈现出下降趋势。(2)降香黄檀幼苗叶片净光合速率、气孔导度、胞间CO2浓度和蒸腾速率随着干旱胁迫强度增加均呈现出先增加后降低趋势,且MS和HS处理下的气孔导度和胞间CO2浓度同时降低,此时幼苗光合能力的下降主要受气孔因素限制。(3)随着干旱胁迫强度的增加,降香黄檀幼苗叶片细胞膜相对透性、丙二醛含量、游离脯氨酸含量和POD活性均呈现出增加趋势,而同期SOD和CAT活性呈现出先升高后降低趋势。可见,降香黄檀幼苗在轻度干旱胁迫下可通过增加叶片保护酶活性来清除活性氧对其组织造成的伤害,但胁迫超过一定程度后保护酶活性下降,表明降香黄檀幼苗的耐旱能力有限。     

Comparison of the Drought Stress Responses of Tolerant and Sensitive Wheat Cultivars During Grain Filling: Changes in Flag Leaf Photosynthetic Activity,ABA Levels,and Grain Yield

Water status parameters, flag leaf photosynthetic activity, abscisic acid (ABA) levels, grain yield, and storage protein contents were investigated in two drought-tolerant (Triticum aestivum L. cv. MV Emese and cv. Plainsman V) and two drought-sensitive (cvs. GK élet and Cappelle Desprez) wheat genotypes subjected to soil water deficit during grain filling to characterize physiological traits related to yield. The leaf water potential decreased earlier and at a higher rate in the sensitive than in the tolerant cultivars. The net CO₂ assimilation rate (P _N) in flag leaves during water deficit did not display a strict correlation with the drought sensitivity of the genotypes. The photosynthetic activity terminated earliest in the tolerant cv. Emese, and the senescence of flag leaves lasted 7 days longer in the sensitive Cappelle Desprez. Soil drought did not induce characteristic differences between sensitive and tolerant cultivars in chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters of flag leaves during post-anthesis. Changes in the effective quantum yield of PSII (Φ_PSII) and the photochemical quenching (qP) depended on the genotypes and not on the sensitivity of cultivars. In contrast, the levels of ABA in the kernels displayed typical fluctuations in the tolerant and in the sensitive cultivars. Tolerant genotypes exhibited an early maximum in the grain ABA content during drought and the sensitive cultivars maintained high ABA levels in the later stages of grain filling. In contrast with other genotypes, the grain number per ear did not decrease in Plainsman and the gliadin/glutenin ratio was higher than in the control in Emese during drought stress. A possible causal relationship between high ABA levels in the kernels during late stages of grain filling and a decreased grain yield was found in the sensitive cultivars during drought stress.     

黄腐酸和甜菜碱预处理对干旱胁迫下平邑甜茶生理特性及光合的影响

该研究以平邑甜茶[Malus hupehensis(Pamp.)Rehd.]2年生实生苗为材料,通过盆栽试验于干旱处理前3d分别连续喷施黄腐酸(FA)、甜菜碱(GB)和复配(FA+GB),并以清水为对照(CK)进行预处理,比较分析不同预处理对干旱胁迫下平邑甜茶的生理及光合特性变化,探讨FA和GB对平邑甜茶的抗旱生理机制。结果显示:(1)与对照相比,FA、GB和FA+GB预处理均能够显著提高平邑甜茶叶片相对含水量,且FA的保水性效果最佳。(2)3种预处理均可显著促进干旱胁迫下叶片可溶性蛋白、可溶性糖和脯氨酸含量增加,且FA+GB预处理后在干旱胁迫下叶片可溶性糖和脯氨酸累积量显著高于单施FA或GB。(3)3种预处理均可显著提高干旱胁迫下平邑甜茶幼苗的SOD、POD、CAT活性,并显著降低MDA的积累速度及其累积量,且以FA+GB预处理的MDA含量最低、抗氧化酶活性最高。(4)GB和FA+GB预处理下平邑甜茶的净光合速率、瞬时水分利用率显著高于CK和FA,且FA+GB处理下改善光合特性的效果最佳,GB次之。研究表明,单独喷施黄腐酸和甜菜碱及两者配施预处理均能够增加干旱胁迫下平邑甜茶的渗透调节物质和相对含水量,提高叶片的保水性,调节抗氧化物酶活性,降低丙二醛含量,增加细胞膜稳定性,改善光合性能,进而提高平邑甜茶的抗旱能力,且以复配喷施(FA+GB)预处理的效果最好。     

Changes in the water status and osmotic solute contents in response to drought and salicylic acid treatments in four different cultivars of wheat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum aestivum</Emphasis>)

Salicylic acid (SA) controls growth and stress responses in plants. It also induces drought tolerance in plants. In this paper, four wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars with different drought responses were treated with SA in three levels of drain (90, 60, 30% of maximum field capacity) to examine its interactive effects on drought responses and contents of osmotic solutes that may be involved in growth and osmotic adjustment. Under drought condition, the cultivars Geza 164 and Sakha 69 had the plant biomass and leaf relative water content (LRWC) greater than the cultivars Gemaza 1 and Gemaza 3. In all cultivars, drought stress decreased the biomass, LRWC, and the contents of inorganic solutes (Ca, K, Mg) and largely increased the contents of organic solutes (soluble sugars and proline). By contrast, SA increased the biomass, LRWC and the inorganic and organic solute contents, except proline. Correlation analysis revealed that the LRWC correlated positively with the inorganic solute contents but negatively with proline in all cultivars. SA caused maximum accumulations of soluble sugars in roots under drought. These results indicated that SA-enhanced tolerance might involve solute accumulations but independently of proline biosynthesis. Drought-sensitive cultivars had a trait lowering Ca and K levels especially in shoots. Possible functions of the ions and different traits of cultivars were discussed.     

Differential responses of the enzymes involved in proline biosynthesis and degradation in drought tolerant and sensitive cotton genotypes during drought stress and recovery

The relative water content (RWC), free proline levels and the activities of enzymes involved in proline metabolism were studied in drought tolerant (Ca/H 680) and drought sensitive (Ca/H 148) genotypes of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) during induction of water stress and posterior recovery. Water stress caused a significant increase in proline levels and P5CS activity in leaves of both tolerant and sensitive genotypes, whereas the activity of P5CR increased minimally and the activity of OAT remains unchanged. The activity of PDH decreased under drought stress in both the genotypes. The leaf of tolerant genotype maintained higher RWC, photosynthetic activity and proline levels, as well as higher P5CS and P5CR activities under water stress than that of drought sensitive genotype. The drought induced proline levels and activities of P5CS and P5CR declined and tend to be equal to their respective controls, during recovery, whereas the PDH activity tends to increase. These results indicate that induction of proline levels by up regulation of P5CS and down regulation of PDH may be involved in the development of drought tolerance in cotton.     

Water stress effects on photosynthesis in different mulberry cultivars

The effect of water stress on photosynthesis was determined in five mulberry cultivars (Morus alba L. cv. K-2, MR-2, BC2-59, S-13 and TR-10). Drought was imposed by withholding water and the plants were maintained at different water potentials ranging from 0.5 -MPa to 2.0 -MPa. Photosynthetic rates, activities of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase and sucrose phosphate synthase, photosystem II activity and chlorophyll content were used as key parameters to assess photosynthetic performance. There was a marked variation in the photosynthetic rates and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase activity among the five mulberry cultivars subjected to water stress. Photosystem II (PSII) and sucrose phosphate synthase activities were also severely reduced as measured by drought conditions. Of the five mulberry cultivars, S-13 and BC2-59 showed higher photosynthetic rates, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase activity, high sucrose phosphate synthase activity and photochemical efficiency of PSII compared to the other varieties.     

水氮处理对岛礁植物假茉莉生理适应性的影响

为了解假茉莉(Clerodendrum inerme)对热带珊瑚岛礁的生理适应性,采用不同浇水频率和氮素处理,对假茉莉的光合特性及抗逆生理生化特性进行了研究。结果表明,不同浇水频率对于假茉莉生理特性影响较大,而不同氮素处理间的差异不大,说明假茉莉对水分胁迫更加敏感。在低浇水频率下,假茉莉叶绿素a含量和叶绿素a/b最高,且与其他浇水频率间的差异显著,净光合速率、气孔导度、水分利用率均显著高于高浇水频率,而蒸腾速率显著低于高浇水频率,表现出较好的光合同化效率和水分利用效率;中等浇水频率的脯氨酸含量最高,为(5.04±1.21)mg/g,可降低植物体的渗透压,保证干旱胁迫下对水分的吸收。低浇水频率的相对电导率最低,为0.17±0.03,可减少干旱胁迫对细胞膜系统的损伤。因此,假茉莉对干旱、贫瘠的热带珊瑚岛礁生境具有很好的适应能力。     

陆地棉GhCDPK1基因响应干旱胁迫的功能初探

钙依赖性蛋白激酶(CDPKs)是一类重要的钙信号感受蛋白和响应蛋白,在植物干旱、低温、盐碱等非生物胁迫应答中起着重要的调控作用。为探讨陆地棉GhCDPK1基因在干旱胁迫下所起的作用,该研究利用实时荧光定量PCR技术分析了PEG模拟干旱胁迫下该基因的表达量,发现GhCDPK1基因受干旱胁迫诱导。通过构建植物表达载体pCAMBIA2300-GhCDPK1,采用农杆菌介导的叶盘法转化模式植物烟草,发现干旱胁迫下转基因植株保水能力明显高于野生型植株,叶绿素、脯氨酸、可溶性蛋白含量及POD、SOD活性也高于野生型植株,而丙二醛含量低于野生型植株。研究结果表明,GhCDPK1基因作为正向调控因子响应干旱胁迫诱导,过表达GhCDPK1基因可以使植株积累更多的渗透调节物质、增强抗氧化系统酶的活性和维持细胞膜的稳定性来提高植物抵御外界干旱胁迫的能力。     

Growth and Gas Exchange of Three Sorghum Cultivars Under Drought Stress

A field study was conducted to evaluate the drought tolerance of three sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] cultivars, Gadambalia, Arous elRimal and Tabat, and quantify the physiological bases for differences in their drought tolerance. Water stress reduced shoot dry mass of Gadambalia, Arous elRimal and Tabat by 43, 46 and 58 %, respectively. The respective reduction in leaf area of the three cultivars was 28, 54 and 63 %. The reduction in net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate due to water stress was lowest in Gadambalia and highest in Tabat. The leaf water potentials and relative water contents of Gadambalia under wet and dry treatments were similar, while those of Tabat were significantly reduced by water stress. The lowest and highest liquid water flow conductance was displayed by Tabat and Gadambalia, respectively. Drought tolerance in Gadambalia is associated with its smaller leaf area, higher liquid water flow conductance, and ability to maintain high leaf water potential, relative water content, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate and photosynthetic rate under drought stress. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effect of drought stress implemented at pre- or post-anthesis stage on some physiological parameters as screening criteria in chickpea cultivars

Drought is one of the most important factors limiting chickpea production in arid and semi-arid regions. There is little information regarding genotypic variation for drought tolerance in chickpea cultivars. Screening for drought tolerance is very important. It is essential to identify the physiological mechanisms of drought tolerance to complete conventional breeding program. Glasshouse experiment was carried out to study the genotypic variation among 11 chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cultivars. Plants were grown either under optimum conditions or drought stress was implemented at pre-or post-anthesis stages. The drought susceptibility index (DSI) was used as the measure of drought tolerance. Relationships between DSI and excised-leaf water loss (RWL), relative water content (RWC), membrane permeability, ascorbic acid, proline, and chlorophyll contents, lipid peroxidation, and hydrogen peroxide concentrations were determined in order to find out whether these physiological parameters could be used as the genotypic selection criteria for drought tolerance. The results of this study indicated that there was a wide variation in tolerance to drought stress among the chickpea cultivars, which could be exploited in breeding new chickpea cultivars with high drought tolerance. The results also demonstrated that drought-tolerant cultivars had a higher RWC, ascorbic acid and proline concentrations, but lower RWL and membrane permeability in comparison to drought-sensitive cultivars. The significant and a well defined relationships between DSI and RWC, RWL, ascorbic acid, proline, and membrane permeability were found. It was concluded that these parameters could be instrumental in predicting the drought tolerance of chickpea cultivars. This text was submitted by the authors in English.