Abstract

BackgroundFlora growth is always influenced by the environmental conditions that surround the plant.The Objective of the StudyThe present research work was undertaken to study the response of Withania frutescens (L.) Pauquy to changes in the environmental conditions by investigating topographical, climatological, morphological, histological, and phytochemical aspects influencing the plant’s growth.Materials and MethodsThe topography of the study area was described using the Digital Terrain Model (DTM). The bioclimatic study was carried out using a climatological database (TerraClimate) used for an old period 1960–1970 (OP) and a new period 2000–2019 (NP). The histological study on stems, leaves, and roots was investigated according to protocols as described in the present study. The phytochemical analysis was assessed using a gas chromatograph coupled to a mass spectrophotometer after silylation.ResultsThe topographical study showed that the selected stations varied in terms of topographical characteristics. The average annual precipitation recorded for the study area was 624 mm/year, and the thermal amplitude was around 34.64°C. The morphometrical study revealed that the plant had changes in length and width from one zone to another. The histometrical study of organs showed changes in tissue structure over time and location. The phytochemical content in the studied plants was also found to vary over time and location.ConclusionBased on the obtained results, we could confirm that W. frutescens has developed alternate strategies to mitigate increasingly harsh environmental conditions.

Highlights

  • The drought in the north of Africa is the most severe to strike the region in the last decades, with serious impacts on agriculture and general economic activities for the countries concerned (Bourhia et al, 2020)

  • Based on the obtained results, we could confirm that W. frutescens has developed alternate strategies to mitigate increasingly harsh environmental conditions

  • Further analysis of the soil showed that W. frutescens can grow in four soil types: in the first station (A1) with a lithosol input: in a vertisol soil in the second station (A2): with stations A3 and A4 characterized by the presence of calcimagnetic and lithosol soils, respectively

Read more

Summary

Introduction

The drought in the north of Africa is the most severe to strike the region in the last decades, with serious impacts on agriculture and general economic activities for the countries concerned (Bourhia et al, 2020). The drought has profoundly disturbed the vegetation cover, inducing significant water stress and adaptation phenomena in plants, and impacts the ecological balance by which toxic plants have invaded the target area (Quezel, 1999; Di Ferdinando et al, 2014). Plants have been exposed to multiple interactive abiotic stressors such as extreme temperature, drought, and water stress. These stressors could be a result of global climate change. Plants are substantially affected by the surrounding environment When they undergo changed climatic conditions, plants develop adaptation strategies. The modification of optimal conditions induces a series of changes affecting morphology, metabolism, growth, nutrition, and anatomy leading to plant stress (Chelli-Chaabouni, 2014). The Objective of the Study: The present research work was undertaken to study the response of Withania frutescens (L.) Pauquy to changes in the environmental conditions by investigating topographical, climatological, morphological, histological, and phytochemical aspects influencing the plant’s growth

Objectives
Methods
Results
Conclusion
Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call