The Effect of Water Stress on the Gas Exchange Parameters, Productivity and Seed Health of Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench)

Abstract

The present pot experiment studied the effect of different soil moisture contents (60 - 70% CWC (capillary water capacity) - control; 30 - 35% CWC - water stress) on buckwheat productivity, the gas exchange parameters and health of buckwheat nuts. It was found that water deficit affected adversely certain biometric features investigated (plant height, number of nuts per cluster) and caused a decrease in seed weight per plant. It was also shown that water stress reduced the values of the investigated gas exchange parameters (photosynthesis rate, transpiration rate, intercellular-space CO₂ concentration, and stomatal conductance) relative to the control treatment. Different soil moisture contents did not have a clear effect on fungal colonization of seeds. The multiplex PCR assays did not enable the detection of the genes responsible for mycotoxin synthesis. Under water deficit conditions, an increase was found in the content of albumin and globulin fractions as well as of glutelin fractions

Different drought resistance mechanisms between two buckwheat speciesFagopyrum esculentumandFagopyrum tataricum

“…In response to drought, F. esculentum showed a reduction in the stomatal conductance and the transpiration rate in our study. This decrease in stomatal conductance translates a closure of the stomata, which is the first response to drought in many species (Schapendonk et al, 1989;Arnau et al, 1997;Delpérée et al, 2003;Nakayama et al, 2007;Tadina et al, 2007;Pszczółkowska et al, 2012).…”

“…In response to drought, F. esculentum showed a reduction in the stomatal conductance and the transpiration rate in our study. This decrease in stomatal conductance translates a closure of the stomata, which is the first response to drought in many species (Schapendonk et al, 1989; Arnau et al, 1997; Delpérée et al, 2003; Nakayama et al, 2007; Tadina et al, 2007; Pszczółkowska et al, 2012). Indeed, this change allowed a reduction in transpiration which results in less water loss and the maintenance of the water status (Schapendonk et al, 1989; Cornic and Massacci, 1996; Nakayama et al, 2007), as observed in F. esculentum .…”

“…However, the stomata closure resulted in a decrease of intercellular CO 2 concentration and net photosynthesis rate in F. esculentum as previously mentioned. Indeed, when the stomata are closed, less CO 2 can enter the leaves and be used for photosynthesis and carbohydrate production (Cornic and Massacci, 1996; Nakayama et al, 2007; Prasad et al, 2008; Pszczółkowska et al, 2012). This could explain the lower growth rate of F. esculentum in response to water stress.…”

The Effects of Nitrogen and Moisture Stress on Yield and Quality of Wheat: A Review

“…The severe water stress directly affects photosynthetic capacity of the mesophyll causing decrease in carboxylation as well as electron transport chain activities, and/or induces ultrastructural changes in chloroplasts [71]. A decrease in the rates of photosynthesis and transpiration as well as in intercellular-space CO2 concentration and stomatal conductance was shown under water deficit conditions relative to the control [72]. Water stress results in stomatal closure and reduced transpiration rates, a decrease in the water potential of plant tissues, decrease in photosynthesis and growth inhibition [73].…”