Responses of caprifig genotypes to water stress and recovery

Abstract

Caprifig (Ficus carica L.) as pollen sources play a major role in fig breeding programs. The aim of this study was to evaluate responses of four caprifig genotypes (‘Dane Sephid’, ‘Pouz Donbali’, ‘Shah Anjiri’, and ‘Khormaei’) to water stress and rewatering cycles. Water stress was applied to one-year-old caprifig cuttings by withholding irrigation for 14 days and was followed by a 10-day rewatering period. Growth parameters of the genotypes were significantly reduced under water stress period. Results indicated that water stress significantly reduced relative water content (RWC) and leaf water potential (ΨLeaf), and the lowest values were found in ‘Dane Sephid’. Electrolyte leakage increased in parallel to decrease of leaf RWC and ΨLeaf, and EL was significantly higher in the leaves of ‘Dane Sephid’. On the contrary to inorganic osmolytes, water stress enhanced proline accumulated in the leaves of caprifig genotypes with the exception to ‘Dane Sephid’. After the rewatering period growth indices of ‘Khormaei’ and ‘Shah Anjiri’ were recovered to the control level. The data suggested 'Khormaei' and 'Shah Anjiri' have higher drought tolerance. The mechanism underlying the drought tolerance in caprifigs may result from their capacity of osmoregulation and maintaining cell health status.