Effects of drought stress induced by D-Mannitol on the germination and early seedling growth traits, physiological parameters and phytochemicals content of Tunisian squash (Cucurbita maximaDuch.) landraces
IntroductionDrought stress is one of the most devastating environmental stressors, especially in the arid and semi-arid regions of the world. Considering the major constraints that drought stress poses to crop production and the consequent yield losses in food crops, breeding for climate-resilient c...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-07-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Plant Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2023.1215394/full |
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| author | Wassim Saadaoui Neji Tarchoun Insaf Msetra Ourania Pavli Hanen Falleh Chadha Ayed Roua Amami Riadh Ksouri Spyridon A. Petropoulos |
| author_facet | Wassim Saadaoui Neji Tarchoun Insaf Msetra Ourania Pavli Hanen Falleh Chadha Ayed Roua Amami Riadh Ksouri Spyridon A. Petropoulos |
| author_sort | Wassim Saadaoui |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionDrought stress is one of the most devastating environmental stressors, especially in the arid and semi-arid regions of the world. Considering the major constraints that drought stress poses to crop production and the consequent yield losses in food crops, breeding for climate-resilient crops is an efficient means to mitigate stress conditions. Materials and methodsThis study aimed at evaluating the response of four squash (Cucurbita maxima Duchesne) landraces to drought stress at germination and at plant stage. Drought stress was induced by different concentrations of D-mannitol (-0.24, -0.47 and -0.73 MPa). The tested parameters at germination stage included germination percentage, seedling vigor index, seed water absorbance and seedling growth potential. At the plant stage, leaf chlorophyll and carotenoids content, chlorophyll fluorescence, evapotranspiration, photosynthesis activity and several biomarkers, namely malondialdehyde, proline, total phenols content, total flavonoids content and DPPH radical scavenging activity were evaluated in both roots and leaves.Results and discussionOur results indicate a magnitude of drought stress effects reflected via repression of germination and seedling growth as well as adjustments in physiological functions at later growth stages, in a genotype depended manner. Among landraces, "751" and "746" showed better performance, as evidenced by higher seed germination and seedling growth potential even at high stress levels (-0.47 and - 0.73 MPa), whereas "747" was the most sensitive landrace to drought stress at both tested stages. In conclusion, our findings highlight the importance of squash landraces selection for the identification of elite genotypes with increased tolerance to drought stress. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T20:55:01Z |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-462X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T20:55:01Z |
| publishDate | 2023-07-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Plant Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-4e42ae82c8a6456bb6db8855bc23a7232023-07-31T17:18:00ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Plant Science1664-462X2023-07-011410.3389/fpls.2023.12153941215394Effects of drought stress induced by D-Mannitol on the germination and early seedling growth traits, physiological parameters and phytochemicals content of Tunisian squash (Cucurbita maximaDuch.) landracesWassim Saadaoui0Neji Tarchoun1Insaf Msetra2Ourania Pavli3Hanen Falleh4Chadha Ayed5Roua Amami6Riadh Ksouri7Spyridon A. Petropoulos8Research Laboratory LR21AGR05, High Agronomic Institute of ChottMariem, University of Sousse, Sousse, TunisiaResearch Laboratory LR21AGR05, High Agronomic Institute of ChottMariem, University of Sousse, Sousse, TunisiaResearch Laboratory LR21AGR05, High Agronomic Institute of ChottMariem, University of Sousse, Sousse, TunisiaLaboratory of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Department of Agriculture, Crop Production and Rural Environment, University of Thessaly, Volos, GreeceLaboratory of Aromatic and Medicinal Plant, Centre of Biotechnology of Borj Cedria, Tunis, TunisiaResearch Laboratory LR21AGR05, High Agronomic Institute of ChottMariem, University of Sousse, Sousse, TunisiaResearch Laboratory LR21AGR05, High Agronomic Institute of ChottMariem, University of Sousse, Sousse, TunisiaLaboratory of Aromatic and Medicinal Plant, Centre of Biotechnology of Borj Cedria, Tunis, TunisiaLaboratory of Vegetable Production, Department of Agriculture, Crop Production and Rural Environment, University of Thessaly, Volos, GreeceIntroductionDrought stress is one of the most devastating environmental stressors, especially in the arid and semi-arid regions of the world. Considering the major constraints that drought stress poses to crop production and the consequent yield losses in food crops, breeding for climate-resilient crops is an efficient means to mitigate stress conditions. Materials and methodsThis study aimed at evaluating the response of four squash (Cucurbita maxima Duchesne) landraces to drought stress at germination and at plant stage. Drought stress was induced by different concentrations of D-mannitol (-0.24, -0.47 and -0.73 MPa). The tested parameters at germination stage included germination percentage, seedling vigor index, seed water absorbance and seedling growth potential. At the plant stage, leaf chlorophyll and carotenoids content, chlorophyll fluorescence, evapotranspiration, photosynthesis activity and several biomarkers, namely malondialdehyde, proline, total phenols content, total flavonoids content and DPPH radical scavenging activity were evaluated in both roots and leaves.Results and discussionOur results indicate a magnitude of drought stress effects reflected via repression of germination and seedling growth as well as adjustments in physiological functions at later growth stages, in a genotype depended manner. Among landraces, "751" and "746" showed better performance, as evidenced by higher seed germination and seedling growth potential even at high stress levels (-0.47 and - 0.73 MPa), whereas "747" was the most sensitive landrace to drought stress at both tested stages. In conclusion, our findings highlight the importance of squash landraces selection for the identification of elite genotypes with increased tolerance to drought stress.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2023.1215394/fullwater stressCucurbita maxima Duchesneseed germinationseedling vigortotal phenols contentchlorophyll fluorescence |
| spellingShingle | Wassim Saadaoui Neji Tarchoun Insaf Msetra Ourania Pavli Hanen Falleh Chadha Ayed Roua Amami Riadh Ksouri Spyridon A. Petropoulos Effects of drought stress induced by D-Mannitol on the germination and early seedling growth traits, physiological parameters and phytochemicals content of Tunisian squash (Cucurbita maximaDuch.) landraces Frontiers in Plant Science water stress Cucurbita maxima Duchesne seed germination seedling vigor total phenols content chlorophyll fluorescence |
| title | Effects of drought stress induced by D-Mannitol on the germination and early seedling growth traits, physiological parameters and phytochemicals content of Tunisian squash (Cucurbita maximaDuch.) landraces |
| title_full | Effects of drought stress induced by D-Mannitol on the germination and early seedling growth traits, physiological parameters and phytochemicals content of Tunisian squash (Cucurbita maximaDuch.) landraces |
| title_fullStr | Effects of drought stress induced by D-Mannitol on the germination and early seedling growth traits, physiological parameters and phytochemicals content of Tunisian squash (Cucurbita maximaDuch.) landraces |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of drought stress induced by D-Mannitol on the germination and early seedling growth traits, physiological parameters and phytochemicals content of Tunisian squash (Cucurbita maximaDuch.) landraces |
| title_short | Effects of drought stress induced by D-Mannitol on the germination and early seedling growth traits, physiological parameters and phytochemicals content of Tunisian squash (Cucurbita maximaDuch.) landraces |
| title_sort | effects of drought stress induced by d mannitol on the germination and early seedling growth traits physiological parameters and phytochemicals content of tunisian squash cucurbita maximaduch landraces |
| topic | water stress Cucurbita maxima Duchesne seed germination seedling vigor total phenols content chlorophyll fluorescence |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2023.1215394/full |
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