Drought effect on growth, gas exchange and yield, in two strains of local barley Ardhaoui, under water deficit conditions in southern Tunisia

Two local barley strains cv. Ardhaoui originated from Tlalit and Switir, sourthern Tunisia were grown in pots in a glasshouse assay, under well-watered conditions for a month. Plants were then either subjected to water deficit (treatment) or continually well-watered (control). Control pots were irrigated several times each week to maintain soil moisture near field capacity (FC), while stress pots experienced soil drying by withholding irrigation until they reached 50% of FC. Variation in relative water content, leaf area, leaf appearance rate and leaf gas exchange (i.e. net CO2 assimilation rate (A), transpiration (E), and stomatal conductance (gs)) in response to water deficit was investigated. High leaf relative water content (RWC) was maintained in Tlalit by stomatal closure and a reduction of leaf area. Reduction in leaf area was due to decline in leaf gas exchange during water deficit. Tlalit was found to be drought tolerant and able to maintain higher leaf RWC under drought conditions. Water deficit treatment reduced stomatal conductance by 43% at anthesis. High net CO2 assimilation rate under water deficit was associated with high RWC (r = 0.998; P < 0.01). Decline in net CO2 assimilation rate was due mainly to stomatal closure. Significant differences between studied strains in leaf gas exchange parameters were found, which can give some indications on the degree of drought tolerance. Thus, the ability of the low leaf area plants to maintain higher RWC could explain the differences in drought tolerance in studied barley strains. Results showed that Tlalit showed to be more efficient and more productive than Switir.

► Barley is the main cereal grown in the south of Tunisia.
► The crop is well adapted to arid environment.
► Yield of barley was reported to reduce when it is waterlogged during its early stage.
► Drought stress affects many traits through morphological and physiological modifications.
► We selected the most drought-tolerant plant material in conditions of water stress.