Enhancement of Drought-Induced Senescence by the Reproductive Sink in Fertile Lines of Wheat and Sorghum

The leaf senescence pattern was examined in water-stressed malesterile and fertile lines of wheat (Triticum aestivum) and sorghum(Sorghum vulgare). The study was conducted at the seedling stageand during grain development. The loss of leaf area and chlorophyllcontent induced by water stress was similar in the male sterileand fertile lines of wheat at the seedling stage. At the grainfilling stage, leaf senescence occurred at a faster rate inthe fertile lines as compared to sterile lines of both wheatand sorghum. The study indicates that a reproductive sink accentuatesdrought-induced leaf senescence. Drought resistance, leaf senescence, male sterile, sink