Vol. 69 No: 5

Title:
Differential Flood Stress Resistance of Two Almond Cultivars Based on Survival, Growth and Water Relations as Stress Indicators

Authors:
M.J. SANCHEZ-BLANCO, J.J. ALARCON, J. PLANES and A. TORRECILLAS

pp: 947-1129

Abstract:
Potted almond trees (Amygdalus communis L.) of the two cvs Ramillete and Garrigues were submitted to two treatments: non-flooded (control) and flooded for 7 d in June 1991 under field conditions. After being submerged for one week, the almond trees were removed from the water (recovery period). The effects of flooding on the growth, stomatal behaviour, leaf water potential, osmotic potential and turgor potential were examined through the experimental period. Flooding caused a reduction in root dry weight of ‘Ramillete’, wilting, chlorosis and necrosis of the leaves, and plant death. Epinasty occurred in treated trees, but it appeared sooner in ‘Garrigues’ than in ‘Ramillete’. Garrigues presented the lower resistance of plant plus soil (R_(p+s)) for both treatments. After the flooding period, a progressive reduction of R_(p+s) values was noted in ‘Garrigues’. The decrease in leaf water potential by flooding in both cultivars can be related to an increase in the resistance to water uptake. Leaf osmotic and turgor potential behaviour confirm the progressive dehydration of leaf tissues. The continous decrease in ψ_l ψ_s and ψ_p values in ‘Ramillete’ indicated that the severity of the damage induced by flooding stress was irreversible in this cultivar. The reduction in leaf conductance (g_l) can be related to the leaf water deficit by effects of flooding, the recovery of g_l for ‘Garrigues’ occurred 20 d after leaf water potential. The differences between the cultivars suggest that they differ in their ability to withstand flood conditions and their association is not desirable in poorly drained soils.

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