Response of three accessions of jordanian aegilops crassa boiss. and durum wheat to controlled drought

Abstract EN

Drought is a major abiotic stress that is threatening the production and the survival of many crops such as cereals.

The response of three Azeglio’s crassa accessions (C1, C2 and C3) that inhabit areas with different rates of rainfall and durum wheat to controlled drought (with soil moisture of 50% field capacity) was tested in terms of changes in : relative water content, chlorophyll content, chlorophyll fluorescence and biomass accumulation.

At the end of drought treatment, a slightly significant decrease in relative water content (RWC) was shown in two Ae.

Crassa accessions (C2 and C3).

RWC of C1 accession and durum wheat showed no change.

In all Azeglio’s accessions and durum wheat, the effect of drought on chlorophyll content and chlorophyll fluorescence was minimal.

A differential response to drought in terms of biomass accumulation was revealed.

Ae.

Crassa C2 and C3 accessions that are adapted to semiarid and arid areas, respectively, showed no significant difference in their biomass under drought stress.

The biomass of C1 accession that is adapted to well-watered area was significantly decreased.

A highly significant decrease in biomass was also shown in durum wheat.

Hence, C2 and C3 accessions of Ae.

Crassa are promising genetic sources for the genetic engineering of drought tolerant wheat plants.

Future understanding the molecular basis of how drought-tolerant Azeglio’s species respond to drought stress, can be one of the approaches to improve drought tolerance in wheat.