Leaf Growth, Gas Exchange and Chlorophyll Fluorescence Parameters in Response to Different Water Deficits in Wheat Cultivars

We investigated responses of wet climate (CY17) and dry climate (XN889) Trititcum aestivum L cultivars under 85, 55 and 25% field water capacity (FC). Less decrease in grain yield, relative water content, growth, gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters indicated that XN889 was more drought-tolerant than CY17. At 55%FC, CY17 showed a lower net photosynthetic rate (Pn) than XN889 mainly due to stomatal closure. Stomatal closure was also observed in XN1889, but its Pn was higher at 55%FC than at 85%FC. The higher Pn in XN1889 may be associated with a higher chlorophyll content and resulting increase in photochemical quenching (qP), apparent electron transport rate, and effective quantum yield of photosystem II (PSII). Both cultivars showed photodamage at 25%FC, but XN889 showed less photodamage in terms of maximal PSII photochemical efficiency. XN889 showed higher qP and non-photochemical quenching than CY17, further demonstrating its superior drought tolerance.