Variation in ion leakage parameters of two wheat genotypes with different Rht-B1 alleles in response to drought.

The reaction to soil drying was evaluated in two Triticum aestivum near-isogenic lines carrying different alleles of the height-reducing gene Rht-B1 based on an improved method for assessment of electrolyte leakage. The two lines were previously shown to differ in their physiological responses to induced water deficit stress. Drought was imposed for 6 days on 10-day-old seedlings. Ion efflux from leaves was measured conductometrically in multiple time points during the 24 h incubation period, and the obtained biphasic kinetics was interpreted according to a previously developed theoretical model proposing different leakage rates through the apoplast and the symplast. Most of the model parameters were able to properly differentiate the two closely related genotypes. The mutant Rht-B1c displayed lower and slower electrolyte leakage in comparison with the wild-type Rht-B1a. It was speculated that the Rht genes expressing defective DELLA proteins might be involved in water stress response through modulation of cell wall stiffness, which influences its capacity for ions retention, and also by their contribution to ROS detoxification, thus indirectly stabilizing cellular membranes. The presented analytical approach relating processes of ion and water flow in and out of the cell could be used for characterization of membrane and cell wall properties of different genotypes under normal and stress conditions.

An improvement of the diffusion model for assessment of drought stress in plant tissues.

The article discusses an improvement of a previously developed method for assessment of ion leakage from plant tissues as a gauge of membrane and cell wall performance under stressful environment. It employs conductometric measurements of the ion efflux from leaves and their quantitative interpretation by a theoretical model based on the laws of diffusion. Experimental data are readily fit with the model and results are in accordance with relative water content of dehydrated barley (Hordeum vulgare) seedlings of two distinct cultivars. Some new parameters obtained from fitting are proposed as reliable indicators of the leaf status. They appear to be helpful in further distinguishing the behavior of two separate cellular structures with respect to their electrolyte permeability. It is concluded that the established method based on the kinetics of ion leakage is adequate for evaluation of contrasting genotypes under normal and stress conditions. Furthermore, it could be used as a simple and powerful tool for routine analysis and screening for drought tolerance in crops.

Physiological responses of two wheat cultivars to soil drought.

Young plants of the two wheat cultivars Katya and Prelom, differing in their reaction to drought in the field, were grown in soil in pots, and their water status was assessed as well as the intensity of gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, and accumulation of compatible solutes and hydrogen peroxide after 7 days of dehydration. It was established that cv. Katya displayed markedly better tolerance to soil drying in comparison with cv. Prelom. This was partly due to the more effective control of water balance, activity of the photosynthetic apparatus, and metabolic activity of leaves under stress. Consequently, lower amounts of hydrogen peroxide were accumulated and a lower membrane injury index was determined.

Changes in foliar proline concentration of osmotically stressed barley.

The amino acid proline is accumulated in plant tissues in response to a variety of stresses. The existence of two routes for its biosynthesis is well documented. However, little is known about the contribution of each pathway to the accumulation of free proline under stress conditions. In the present study young barley plants were subjected to osmotic stress by treating their roots with 25% polyethylene glycol. Prior to stress imposition roots were incubated for 24 h in nutrient solution containing proline or one of its metabolic precursors: glutamate and ornithine. Free proline quantity in the leaves was measured before and after stress. Relative water content (RWC) was used as a measure of the plant water status. Foliar proline levels showed a significant increase in ornithine- and proline-pretreated plants compared to the control. Nevertheless, no considerable changes in leaf RWC were observed. It was shown that before stress application only ornithine but not glutamate was immediately metabolized to proline. Under stress conditions, however, both precursors were converted into proline. The possible role of this amino acid in the processes of post stress recovery is discussed.