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Drought is a major obstacle in agricultural production, limiting plant growth and yield. There is a need for a long-term solution to climate change threats, which can be found in cultivars better adapted to a lack of water. Garlic is an important vegetable crop, and despite its wide use and production, there is lack of research on its physiological response to water stress. The wide spectrum of garlic diversity in Croatia provides a possible level of variation in its tolerance to drought. In this research, 36 garlic landraces were analyzed in their morphological and physiological responses to water stress by measuring gas exchange (LI-6800, LI-COR, USA) and multispectral traits (PlantEye Microscanner, Phenospex, Netherlands). Drought led to a significant decrease in gas exchange parameters. Transpiration rate in drought stressed plants decreased for 48% compared to well-watered plants, and other photosynthetic parameters followed. Interaction between landrace and drought stress was found in assimilation and transpiration indicating differences in landrace response. The results showed a change in spectral vegetation indices, suggesting increased stress in drought exposed garlic plants compared to well-watered ones. Differences among garlic landraces in drought stress tolerance could be used for selection of more adapted cultivars. Combining morphological and spectral traits with photosynthetic response to water shortage can give an insight into garlic adaptations to drought stress. |
