PEG and drought cause distinct changes in biochemical, physiological and morphological parameters of apple seedlings
2015
Kautz, Burkard | Noga, Georg | Hunsche, Mauricio
The aim of our work was to examine the suitability of chemically induced osmotic stress by polyethylene glycol (PEG) for drought stress experiments based on key physiological parameters of apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) leaves. In this context, we hypothesized that PEG-induced osmotic stress influences the plant physiology in a similar manner as physical water deficit. Both PEG and water shortage induced changes in relative water content (RWC), proline and chlorophyll contents, thickness of leaf cross sections, net photosynthesis rate, and chlorophyll fluorescence. However, there was no clear relationship between the values recorded from PEG and drought treatments. In summary, we confirm that PEG might be used to induce drought-like physiological changes, but it cannot be considered as an unconditional equivalent for natural drought, particularly in long-term studies.
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