Quantitative genetic analysis of water deficit tolerance in coriander through physiological traits

Abstract

Drought stress restricts the production of agricultural crops through morphological, physiological and biochemical changes in plants. This study explored the genetic control of physiological traits related to drought in coriander. In a diallel analysis, all six parents, their 15 F1 hybrids and 15 F2 populations were subjected to different irrigation regimes including well-watered, mild and severe water deficit stress. Drought stress decreased the relative chlorophyll content (RCC), the relative water content (RWC), chlorophyll a (Chla), chlorophyll b (Chlb), total chlorophyll (TChl) content, carotenoids (Car) and essential oil yield (EOY) in F1 and F2 generations. General combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability effects were highly significant for all traits in F1 and F2 generations. Additive gene action was predominant for Chla, Chlb, TChl and Car under well-watered condition while non-additive gene effects were more important under mild and severe water deficit stresses in F1 and F2 generations for the above traits. Additive gene effects were more important for RCC, RWC and electrolyte leakage (EL) traits in both F1 and F2 generations under mild and severe water deficit stresses. In conclusion, the high narrow-sense heritability and significant genetic correlations between EOY and RCC, RWC and EL suggest that these traits can be used as surrogates to identify superior genotypes for arid and semi-arid regions. Also, the parental lines, P4 and P6 had the best GCA for RCC, RWC, Chla, Chlb, TChl, Car, essential oil content and EOY.

Detection of Epistasis for Seed and Some Phytochemical Traits in Coriander under Different Irrigation Regimes

“…Results revealed that EOC was affected by water deficit, in accordance with Bettaieb et al [12] in Salvia officinalis and Alinian [10] in cumin and coriander [42]. Furthermore, water stress affected the EOC by PODF, indirectly, which is obvious from the difference between EOC and AdjEOC.…”

Dissection of Genetic Effects, Heterosis, and Inbreeding Depression for Phytochemical Traits in Coriander

“…It has been previously shown that the amount and composition of substances and secondary metabolites can be affected by water deficit stress in some medicinal plants [ 24 , 25 ]. In some studies, an enhancing effect of water deficit stress on the biosynthesis of essential oils were observed [ 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 ]. Under stressful growth conditions, secondary metabolite and/or substance production in plants can be enhanced to prevent oxidization in plant cells.…”