Journal
JOURNAL OF PLANT PHYSIOLOGY
Volume 161, Issue 9, Pages 1041-1051Publisher
ELSEVIER GMBH
DOI: 10.1016/j.jplph.2003.12.009
Keywords
Atriplex halimus; drought resistance; glycinebetaine; osmotic adjustment; water stress
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The effect of water stress was investigated in plants from two populations of Atriplex halimus L: Tensift issued from a salt-affected coastal area and Kairouan originating from an inland dried site. Water deficit was applied by withholding water for 22 days. Shoot dry weight (shoot DW), Leaf relative water content (RWC), turgid weight to dry weight ratio (TW/DW), osmotic potential (psis), osmotic adjustment (OA), proline, glycinebetaine, and sugar content were determined 1, 8, 15 and 22 days after withholding watering. Water stress induced a decrease in shoot DW, RWC, psis, and TW/DW, but an increase in glycinebetaine and sugar Leaf contents. The decrease of psis and TW/DW was more marked in Kairouan than in Tensift. At the end of the stress period, Kairouan showed a greater OA compared with Tensift. However, the contribution of net solute accumulation (OA(acc)) was similar in both populations in response to stress. Water stress resistance could thus not be associated with higher OA, although the ability of plants to regulate these metabolic and physiological functions could play an important rote under harmful conditions. The possible roles of osmolyte accumulations are discussed in relation to the specific physiological strategy of water-stress-resistance in this species. (C) 2004 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.
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