Influence of drought (D) on changes of leaf water potential (Ψ) and parameters of gas exchange in D-resistant and D-sensitive genotypes of triticale and maize was compared. Soil D (from -0.01 to -2.45 MPa) was simulated by mannitol solutions. At -0.013 MPa significant differences in Ψ, net photosynthetic rate (PN), transpiration rate (E), stomatal conductance (gs), and internal CO2 concentration (Ci) of D-resistant and D-sensitive triticale and maize genotypes were not found. Together with the increase in concentration of the mannitol solution the impact of D on E and gs for D-sensitive genotypes (CHD-12, Ankora) became lower than for the D-resistant ones (CHD-247, Tina). Inversely, impact of D on Ψ was higher in D-sensitive than D-resistant genotypes. From 1 to 3 d of D, a higher decrease in PN was observed in D-resistant genotypes than in the D-sensitive ones. Under prolonged D (5-14 d) and simultaneous more severe D the decrease in PN was lower in D-resistant than in D-sensitive genotypes. Changes in Ψ, PN, E, and gs caused by D in genotypes differing in the drought susceptibility were similar for triticale and maize. Compared to control plants, increase of Ci was different for triticale and maize genotypes. Hence one of the physiological reasons of different susceptibility to D between sensitive and resistant genotypes is more efficient protection of tissue water status in resistant genotypes reflected in higher decrease in gs and limiting E compared to the sensitive ones. Other reason, observed in D-resistant genotypes during the recovery from D-stress, was more efficient removal of detrimental effects of D. and M. T. Grzesiak, S. Grzesiak, A. Skoczowski.
An influence of soil drought (7 or 14 d) and 7 d recovery on changes of leaf fluorescence excitation spectra at wavelengths of 450, 520, 690, and 740 nm (F450, F520, F690, F740) for drought resistant and sensitive genotypes of triticale and maize was compared. In non-stressed plants the differences between maize and triticale were observed for F450 and F520, but not for F690 and F740. Drought caused the increase in F450, F520, and F690 and this increase was more distinct for drought sensitive genotypes. After re-hydration, chlorophyll fluorescence mostly recovered to values of control plants. Drought caused significant increase in F690/F740 but not in F450/F690 and F450/F520. For triticale, highest increase in F690/F740 was observed in the 4th and 7th leaves of resistant genotype and contrarily in maize for the sensitive one. After recovery, the F450/F520, F450/F690, and F690/F740 ratios mostly returned to values of control plants. and M. T. Grzesiak ... [et al.].