Abstract
The purpose of this experiment is to study the effects of treatment with 90% (28.5% volumetric water content (VWC)), 75% (24% VWC), 50% (16% VWC), and 25% (8% VWC) of water requirements on the growth of two djulis (Chenopodium formosana Koidz) varieties (red: RP and yellow: OR) and one quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd) varieties (PI). The results showed that drought stress (8% VWC) significantly reduced plant growth and relative water content, and increased H2O2 and MDA content in C. formosana and C. quinoa. The most significant increase in these parameters was detected in the OR variety. The antioxidant enzymes, such as SOD, APX, and GR activities of PI variety under drought treatment (8% VWC), are significantly increased, while GR activity of C. formosana also increased significantly. Additionally, C. formosana and PI variety remained at a stable AsA/DHA ratio, but the GSH/GSSG ratio decreased during drought treatment. Moreover, drought stress increased total soluble sugars and proline content in the PI variety. However, C. formosana proline content was extremely significantly enhanced, and only the OR variety increased the total soluble sugar content at the same time during the vegetative growth period. In summary, C. formosana and C. quinoa have different drought tolerance mechanisms to adapt to being cultivated and produced under severe drought conditions.
Highlights
The result indicated that both C. formosana and C. quinoa can adapt to the drought environment after experiencing drought treatment during vegetative growth (Figure 1)
The above results showed that under the 25% water content treatment, the leaf water content of C. formosana and C. quinoa decreased significantly during both vegetative and reproductive growth phases, all the values remained above 50%
The leaf water content of C. formosana and C. quinoa decreased significantly during both vegetative and reproductive growth phases, all the values remained above 50%
Summary
Crop cultivation is rendered impossible due to the lack of water resources, indicating that drought stress has significantly impacted crop production. Issues such as insufficient food production in the future and global food security have become major concerns [1,2]. Water absorption by crops decreases, which causes a decrease in the water potential of cells and induces osmotic stress. The decreased water potential changes cell turgor pressure and impedes cell elongation.
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