Abstract
The aim of the study was to evaluate the resistance of caraway genotypes to water deficit based on the estimation of cell membrane stability (CMS) in leaves using polyethylene glycol (PEG) test. In 2007 and 2008, 25 selected caraway genotypes, originating from European botanical gardens (18), cultivars (2) and our own breeding strains (5), were tested. The plant material was collected from the experimental field. The obtained results showed highly significant differences in cell membrane injuries (p = 0.001) among investigated genotypes. The rank of genotypes in membrane injury index in 2007 was similar to that of 2008. Caraway genotypes originating from Warsaw (49.4%), Cracow (45.3%), Reykiavik (39.9%), Berlin (23.8%), Wisley (22.7%) and strains 9/2 (23.7%), 60/8 (22.2%) exhibited a high level of injury, which showed weak CMS and their high sensitivity to drought. The lowest extent of membrane injury was observed in genotypes originating from Bayreuth (4.2%), Ulm (4.4%), Cluj (5.5%), Lousanne (6.8%) and cultivar "Kończewicki" VI/4 (6.2%), which proves low sensitivity of these genotypes to water deficit and cell membrane stability. These genotypes may be used in further breeding program to improve caraway resistance to drought.
Highlights
Caraway (Carum carvi) is one of the most important medicinal plants in Poland cultivated over an area of 8000 ha
The highest cell membrane injury was noticed in leaves that came from plants originating from: Warsaw (49.4%), Cracow (45.3%), Reykiawik (39.9%), Berlin (23.8%), strain 9/2 (23.7%), Wisley (22.7%) and strain 60/8 (22.2%), which proves high sensitivity of these genotypes to water deficit, whereas the leaves of the following genotypes: from Bayreuth (4.2%), Ulm (4.4%), Cluj (5.5%), cultivar Koñczewicki VI/4 (6.2%) and Lousanne (6.8%) showed the lowest index of injury and their cell membranes exhibited greater stability
cell membrane stability (CMS) measured in naturally dehydrated excised wheat leaves was compatible with the CMS measured by means of polyethylene glycol (PEG) test (Premachandra and Shimada 1988)
Summary
Caraway (Carum carvi) is one of the most important medicinal plants in Poland cultivated over an area of 8000 ha. Drought affects almost all plant functions and is one of the major factors limiting growth and crop production every year in many parts of the world (Ludlow and Muchow 1990; Hall 2001; Farooq et al 2009). Caraway breeding program should be focused on obtaining new cultivars resistant to drought, which may improve its yields in water-limited conditions what is very important from the economic point of view (Toxopeus and Lubberts 1998). This new cultivar should perform high productivity and stable yield during droughts. Perfect genotype combines resistance to water deficit with good yield in drought conditions (Cativelli et al 2008)
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