Anatomical parameters of the flag leaf of alloplasmic lines and their parental forms in drought conditions

Abstract

Anatomical parameters of the flag leaf as criteria for drought tolerance of two alloplasmic lines (interspecific hybrids) and their parental forms − T. aestivum L. (cultivar of Mironovskaya-808) and T. dicoccum wheat were presented. The parameters studied were the thickness of the abaxial and adaxial epidermis, the thickness of the mesophyll and central vein, and the diameter of the central conducting bundle of the flag leaf. Different degrees of negative impact of sudden drought-stress and permanent water deficit on the anatomical structure of the flag leaf were shown. At the stage of flag leaf formation, anatomical parameters, for example an increase or preservation of the size of the protective and mechanical leaf tissues and the thickness of the mesophyll under stress can serve as criteria for the selection of drought-resistant forms of wheat. It revealed that among the studied genetic lineages the alloline D-d-05 showed the best adaptability and the most stable anatomical parameters of the flag leaf under conditions of moisture deficiency. The different degrees of drought tolerance of the studied lines indicate that the combination of the nucleus and cytoplasm of the parental forms can contribute to both an increase and a decrease in the level of drought tolerance in interspecific hybrids, which indicates the need to continue research with additional molecular genetic analysis.

Proline Spray Relieves the Adverse Effects of Drought on Wheat Flag Leaf Function

“…Hameed et al reported that compared to the treatment with 100% of total available soil water, the activities of catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) in wheat leaves increased when the total available soil water was at 50%, while the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) either increased or remained unaffected [13]. Sudden drought stress and a permanent water deficit exert negative effects on the anatomic structure of flag leaves of wheat [14]. The heading and anthesis periods are pivotal for wheat yield formation, and they are extremely susceptible to drought due to its high evapotranspiration.…”