Physiological and morphological responses of two almond cultivars to drought stress and cycocel

Abstract:In order to determine a drought-tolerant cultivar for cultivation in semi-arid areas, the response to drought stress and anti-transpirant (cycocel) of two almond cultivars (Princesse and Tuono) was evaluated by measuring some physiological and morphological parameters including stomatal resistance, chlorophyll fluorescence, chlorophyll content, leaf area, fresh and dry weight of leaf. There were significant differences between the two cultivars. Stomatal resistance, chlorophyll fluorescence, chlorophyll content and leaf dry weight were high for Tuono and Tuono leaves revealed lower leaf area compared to princesse cultivar. So, Tuono is more tolerance to drought stress than cv. Princesse. stomatal resistance, chlorophyll content and leaf fresh weight were increased by foliar application of cycocel, while chlorophyll fluorescence, leaf area and leaf dry weight were reduced. Also, chlorophyll fluorescence, chlorophyll content, leaf area, leaf dry and fresh weight were reduced by increasing the irrigation intervals, while stomatal resistance was increased.