Differential physio-biochemical and yield responses of Camelina sativa L. under varying irrigation water regimes in semi-arid climatic conditions.

Zeeshan Ahmed,Junhe Liu,Muhammad Shareef,Dongwei Gui,Ejaz Ahmad Waraich,Zhiming Qi,Ghulam Murtaza,Akash Tariq,Zhihao Zhang,Hassan Iqbal,Yan Yan,Fanjiang Zeng,Mario Licata

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0242441

Abstract

Camelina sativa L. is an oilseed crop with wide nutritional and industrial applications. Because of favorable agronomic characteristics of C. sativa in a water-limiting environment interest in its production has increased worldwide. In this study the effect of different irrigation regimes (I0 = three irrigations, I1 = two irrigations, I2 = one irrigation and I3 = one irrigation) on physio-biochemical responses and seed yield attributes of two C. sativa genotypes was explored under semi-arid conditions. Results indicated that maximum physio-biochemical activity, seed yield and oil contents appeared in genotype 7126 with three irrigations (I0). In contrast water deficit stress created by withholding irrigation (I1, I2 and I3) at different growth stages significantly reduced the physio-biochemical activity as well as yield responses in both C. sativa genotypes. Nonetheless the highest reduction in physio-biochemical and yield attributes were observed in genotype 8046 when irrigation was skipped at vegetative and flowering stages of crop (I3). In genotypic comparison, C. sativa genotype 7126 performed better than 8046 under all I1, I2 and I3 irrigation treatments. Because 7126 exhibited better maintenance of tissue water content, leaf gas exchange traits and chlorophyll pigment production, resulting in better seed yield and oil production. Findings of this study suggest that to achieve maximum yield potential in camelina three irrigations are needed under semi-arid conditions, however application of two irrigations one at flowering and second at silique development stage can ensure an economic seed yield and oil contents. Furthermore, genotype 7126 should be adopted for cultivation under water limited arid and semi-arid regions due to its better adaptability.

Highlights

Water resources availability to agriculture has become a critical issue in many regions of the world [1] especially in arid and semi-arid tracts and is seriously threatening crop production [2]
The results indicated that leaf chlorophyll contents (Chl a, Chl b and Chl t) were significantly affected by irrigation regimes (I), genotypes (G) and their interaction (I×G) (Table 3)
Results of this study demonstrated that imposing soil water deficit stress by withholding irrigation at different growth stages considerably reduced the leaf water (Cw), solute (Cs) and pressure (Cp) potentials in both camelina genotypes with the highest reduction occurring in genotype 8046 under I3

Summary

Introduction

Water resources availability to agriculture has become a critical issue in many regions of the world [1] especially in arid and semi-arid tracts and is seriously threatening crop production [2]. Harsher weather and frequent drought spells have been predicted for the near future because of concerns from climate change [4]. These conditions demand introduction and assessment of drought resilient crops that can perform better under water limited environments to ensure food security. Drought stress have negative impacts on plant water content by decreasing leaf water potential and relative water contents [6]. It alters metabolic pathways resulting in various physiological interruptions, such as transpiration loss [7], and restricts photosynthesis [8]. If a crop better adapts to water deficit conditions, it would be a better option to strengthen the sustainable crop production systems [11]

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