Simple Screening of Fig Cultivars under Drought Stress Conditions for Rootstock Utilization

A preliminary study was conducted to determine the effects of water stress on seven fig, Ficus carica L. cultivars (‘Dehdez’, ‘Siah’, ‘Shahanjir’, ‘Rono’, ‘Kashki’, ‘Tousorkh’ and ‘Matti’) using a reliable and easy to use methodology. ‘Dehdez’ and ‘Tousorkh’ were two wild genotypes. Potted plants, growing under greenhouse condition were subjected to drought by withholding irrigation for 14 days. Control plants were irrigated daily maintaining soil water content at about field capacity. Stem water potential and relative water content were measured in fully expanded young leaves. On the basis of above indices, these cultivars were screened and categorized as tolerant, semi tolerant and susceptible. Results showed that ‘Dehdez’ and ‘Siah’ are more drought tolerant than others, ‘Shahanjir’, ‘Rono’ and ‘Kashki’ are sensitive and ‘Matti’ and ‘Tousorkh’ are semi telerant. It is concluded that although these indices will be useful to rapidly screen for drought tolerant rootstocks, however for an efficient screening program in rootstock utilization they are not sufficient and they must be grafted on a commercial cultivar and evaluate their relationship under water stress condition.