Drought resistance of hard wheat cultivars measured by a rapid chlorophyll fluorescence test

Abstract

SummaryDisks of hard wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) leaves subjected to rapid desiccation over 4 h showed noticeable changes in the shape of the in vivo chlorophyll fluorescence induction curves. In drought-sensitive varieties (such as Claridoc), water stress resulted in a strong inhibition of the slow fluorescence induction transients. In particular, the fluorescence quenching rate was markedly decreased in water-stressed leaf disks. In contrast, leaves of drought-resistant varieties (such as Aouedj) showed only minor changes in chlorophyll fluorescence. The results of this investigation suggest that the slow transient of the in vivo chlorophyll fluorescence induction phenomenon may provide a simple method for selecting drought-tolerant wheats.