Evaluation of morpho-physiological traits under drought stress conditions in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Abstract

Drought stress is one of the major constraints limiting the production and productivity of barley. We tried to identify some indicators related to plant productivity by analyzing some agro-morphological and physiological traits in recombinant inbred lines (RILs). Plants were exposed to three water treatments: well-watered at 70% available water content (AWC), mild drought stress at 35% AWC, and severe drought stress at 10% AWC. Our results revealed that drought significantly affected most of the studied morpho-physiological traits resulting in strong decreases in yield and the studied traits. We did not observe a significant difference in water-use efficiency between severe and mild drought conditions. Therefore, the mild stress treatment was considered as the most suitable water level in our study. Genotypes with the most tillers and spikes, the highest 1,000-grain mass, and biological yields achieved higher grain yields under all water stress conditions. Therefore, these traits could be considered as useful tools in breeding programs.

Plants’ Physio-Biochemical and Phyto-Hormonal Responses to Alleviate the Adverse Effects of Drought Stress: A Comprehensive Review

“…Drought stress lowers yields in several ways [50]. In barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crops, drought stress reduced the number of spikes, tillers, and grains per plant, as well as the grain weight [51,52]. Reduced millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) production by drought stress caused silking to be delayed and the anthesis-to-silking gap to be lengthened [53].…”

“…Physiological, biochemical, anatomical, morphological, and long-and short-term developmental and growth-related adaptable techniques might be involved (Figure 4) [60][61][62]. Reducing leaf relative water content, turgor loss, and stomatal closure are the frequent consequences of drought stress in Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) [51]. During drought, leaf wilting and abscission reduce water loss via transpiration [17,63].…”

Drought Stress: Responses and Mechanism in Plants

“…Turgor pressure affects the shape, reaction, and cell changes in plants. Water deficit in grains (barley and corn) was reported to decrease cell turgor pressure [37,38]. Under decreased turgidity, water molecules leave the cell.…”

Identification of spring barley genetic sources of increased and stable 1000 kernel weight performance (Hordeum vulgare L.)

“…Окрім того, вона є важливою якісною характеристикою зерна та показником посівної придатності насіння [12][13][14][15]. Маса 1000 зерен може бути одним з індикаторів стресостійкості [16][17][18].…”