1- Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tehran, Karaj, Islamic
Republic of Iran.
Abstract: (6990 Views)
Investigating the role of drought stress conditions on physiological characteristics of
plant may provide means to understand basic drought resistance. Differences in leaf
emergence rate, leaf relative water content (RWC), membrane stability index (MSI), leaf
mass area (LMA), net photosynthesis (Anet), stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration rate
(E), intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci), water use efficiency (Anet/gs) and recovery of gas
exchange were investigated in two-year-old grapes of three Vitis vinifera L. cultivars
("Khoshnave", "Bidane-Sefid" and "Askari"), subjected to progressive drought stress
(soil water potential: -0.2, -0.6, -1, and -1.5 MPa). The results showed temporary
reduction in RWC, MSI, leaf emergence rate, LMA, Anet, gs and E. Ci decreased with
increasing drought stress. "Khoshnave" grape showed a higher photosynthesis rate than
"Bidane-Sefid" and "Askari". Higher LMA of "Khoshnave" may be attributed to the
potential for carbon absorbance and higher Anet as compared to the other two cultivars.
Complete recovery of Anet for all cultivars occurred one day after rewatering at -0.6 MPa
and four days after rewatering at -1 MPa treatments. Complete recovery of gs was not
observed in either one or four days after rewatering except for "Askari". The results
showed that Anet of "Khoshnave" recovered quickly as compared to those in the other two
cultivars. Water use efficiency was maximum in all cultivars under -1 MPa treatment.
Similar patterns of Anet/gs were observed for the three cultivars. "Khoshnave" had higher
Anet/gs as compared to "Askari" and "Bidane-Sefid" under severe drought stress
conditions. "Khoshnave" cultivar, with a higher Anet, higher leaf emergence rate, higher
LMA, rapid recovery of Anet, higher Anet/gs was found to be promising for cultivation in
rain-fed areas across the west of Iran in comparison with the other cultivars.
Received: 2011/02/5 | Accepted: 2011/02/5 | Published: 2011/02/5