RESPONSES OF CULTIVATED AND WILD ALMONDS TO WATER STRESS

H. Sardabi, H.A. Daneshvar, A. Rahmani, M.H. Assareh
The aim of this study was to investigate the most resistant almonds to water stress. For this reason, five genotypes of Prunus dulcis var. amara and two ecotypes of Amygdalus scoparia were investigated at two trials under statistical design of split plots. The main and secondary treatments were five soil water contents (7, 10, 13, 16 and 20 percent) and almond genotypes and ecotypes, respectively. The results in trial 1 showed that there were significant differences between the almond genotypes and ecotype in view point of seedling stem height, stem collar diameter, leaves dry weight, stem dry weight, root dry weight, and leaf total number. Genotype 1 was the most resistant almond to water stress due to its high root volume that resulted in high shoot growth as well. The results of the second trial showed that there were significant differences between the almond genotypes and ecotype from the point of view of seedling stem height, root dry weight and leaf total number. Genotype 6 had the highest and genotype 5 and ecotype 2 had the lowest root dry weight. Overall, there was greater difference between the almond ecotypes and genotypes in root dry weight than in shoot dry weight due to variation in their genetic characteristics. It can be concluded that the almond genotypes and ecotypes that have the potential to develop more roots, have the greater resistance to water stress. The roots of A. scoparia's ecotypes were not influenced as much as the roots of P. dulcis genotypes by the water stress levels, but when the seedlings of P. dulcis genotypes were irrigated sufficiently, they developed more roots than A. scoparia's seedlings. Genotypes 6 and 4 were the most resistant almonds to water stress, respectively.
Sardabi, H., Daneshvar, H.A., Rahmani, A. and Assareh, M.H. (2006). RESPONSES OF CULTIVATED AND WILD ALMONDS TO WATER STRESS. Acta Hortic. 726, 311-316
DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2006.726.50
https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2006.726.50
Amygdalus scoparia, ecotype, genotype, Prunus dulcis var. amara, root, shoot
English

Acta Horticulturae