Morpho-Physiological and Biochemical Changes Induced by Drought Stress in Forage Pea (P.Sativum Subsp. Arvense)

Abstract

In recent years, drought has been a major problem worldwide. Mediterranean regions have been particularly hard hit, adversely affecting the productivity of plants such as forage species. Using morpho-physiological and biochemical approaches, we have characterized the behavior of a forage pea variety with respect to in vivo water stress, with a view to developing this species for agro-ecological purposes. The study, carried out in pots under semi-controlled greenhouse conditions, was conducted under regular watering for control plants (Control) and with watering stopped for stressed plants (Stress). After 60 days of cultivation, our results revealed highly significant differences for all the parameters studied. Drought stress negatively affected growth, water status and membrane integrity, and an increase in soluble sugars and proline content in the leaves was recorded. At the end of this study, this variety of P.sativum subsp. arvense can be considered among the cultivars adapted to drought stress since in spite of the reduction in the relative water content, it always keeps a water status of 52% compared to the cultivars of other forage species, a study on open fields is necessary in order to confirm our results.