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Transgressive Biochemical Response to Water Stress in Interspecific Eggplant Hybrids

Authors :
Sara González-Orenga
Mariola Plazas
Elvira Ribera
Claudia Pallotti
Monica Boscaiu
Jaime Prohens
Oscar Vicente
Ana Fita
Source :
Plants, Vol 12, Iss 1, p 194 (2023)
Publication Year :
2023
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2023.

Abstract

In a climate change scenario, crop tolerance to drought must be urgently improved, as it represents an increasingly critical stress reducing agricultural yields worldwide. Although most crops are relatively sensitive to water stress, many of their wild relatives are more tolerant and may be used to improve drought tolerance in our crops. In this study, the response to drought of eggplant (Solanum melongena), its close wild relatives S. insanum and S. incanum and their interspecific hybrids with S. melongena was assessed. The plants were subjected to two treatments for 18 days: control, with irrigation every four days, and drought, with complete interruption of irrigation. Morphological and biomass traits were measured, and physiological and biochemical responses were analysed using stress biomarkers such as proline, flavonoids, and total phenolic compounds. Oxidative stress was quantified by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA) content. As a result of the drought treatment, plant development and tissue water content were seriously affected. Generally, water deficit also caused significant increases in MDA, proline, flavonoids, and total phenolics compounds. Our results comparing parental accessions reveal a better response to drought in one of the S. insanum accessions. The hybrid between S. melongena and S. incanum displayed a better response than the other hybrids and even its parents. The results obtained here might be helpful for future eggplant breeding programmes aimed at improving drought tolerance.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
22237747
Volume :
12
Issue :
1
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Plants
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.57e1e5d7761a48408936da05c8163a10
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12010194