STUDY OF THE BEHAVIOUR OF COMMON WHEAT (AE. GENICULATA) SUBJECTED TO WATER STRESS BY THE ANALYSIS OF SOME MORPHOPHYSIOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS

Abstract

Drought in Algeria and other Maghreb countries is widely recognized as the primary
limiting factor in agricultural production and is a permanent constraint. The Figurant against this
climatic factor must be considered through a multidisciplinary approach 1]. The study is carried out
on eight genotypes of the species Ae. geniculata collected in several ecogeographic regions across
northern Algeria. The study of the response to water stress in these eight genotypes and the control
reveals the existence of a high variability for most of the parameters measured (morphological,
physiological and biochemical). The results of morphological parameters show a marked decrease in
plant height and leaf area in most genotypes with an increase in leaf specific weight of aerial and root
parts. The results of physiological parameters show variability between genotypes and water situation.
In most genotypes, there was a decrease in total chlorophyll levels and relative levels and an increase
in the rate of water loss. The accumulation of osmoticums during a declaration of a water deficit
remains a drought resistance parameter. Our results show that the water deficit is accompanied by a
clear accumulation of soluble sugars in all genotypes especially G8 and control G9 (Wheat) but with a
significant accumulation of proline in G8. In conclusion we can conclude that the eight genotypes
studied showed the same mechanisms and strategies in response to water stress but with different
degrees. The G8 genotype shows good resistance to water stress compared to the other genotypes
studied.