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Title Investigation on the Physiological Basis of Grain Yield and Drought Resistance in Wheat: Leaf Photosynthetic Rate, Stomatal Conductance, and Non-stomatal Limitations
Type JournalPaper
Keywords Wheat; Drought resistance; Photosynthesis; Stomatal conductance; Mesophyll conductance
Abstract Field and glasshouse studies were undertaken to relate leaf photosynthesis rate as well as stomatal and non-stomatal behaviors to drought resistance and yield performance of wheat. Based on a two-year field trial, 11 wheat cultivars were divided into three groups of susceptible, intermediate and resistant, using stress susceptibility index (SSI) and then were further examined in a glasshouse experiment. Water stress decreased leaf photosynthesis rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (gs) transpiration rate (Tr) and mesophyll conductance (MC), and increased sub-stomatal CO2 concentration (Ci). Cultivars differed in their response to water stress. In general, resistant cultivars showed a higher Pn and gs and leaf water content under both moisture conditions comparing to susceptible ones. A greater reduction in gs and Tr and a smaller reduction in Pn under stress condition led to a remarkably higher photosynthetic water use efficiency of the resistant cultivars. A greater decrease in MC and a greater increase in Ci due to water stress of the susceptible cultivars exhibited the enhanced sensitivity of the photosynthetic apparatus to water stress.
Researchers Adel Siosemardeh (Second Researcher), Ali Ahmadi (First Researcher)