Investigation on Some Morphophysiological Indices in Salvia leriifolia Benth. under Water Deficit Stress

In order to investigate the effect of water deficit stress on morphology and photosynthesis pigments contents of Salvia leriifolia Bench., an experiment was conducted in completely randomized design with three replications under greenhouse conditions. Water deficit treatments were Fully irrigated or Control (-0.035 MPa), Mild stress (-0.138 MPa), Moderate stress (-0.516 MPa) and Severe stress (-1.92 MPa). One set of stressed plants were kept constantly in different levels of matric potentials (Water deficit set) and the other (recovery set) irrigated to maximum water holding capacity after soil water was depleted in each stress levels. The results showed that transpiration, yellow leaves weight significantly decreased in mild stress but chlorophyll a, b content increased comparing control. There was no significant difference between constant and recovery stressed treatments to -0.516 MPa in all traits. Results indicated that leaf number, leaf area and also shoot and root dry weight were significantly (P≤ 0.05) decreased with increasing matric potential beyond -0.516 MPa. The highest SLA (135 cm2.g-1) was obtained in -0.138 MPa and it had only significant difference (P≤ 0.05) with severe water deficit treatments. Results also showed that Root to Shoot ratio increased by 3.9- 4.3 times comparing control. Despite the chlorophyll content decreased in matric potential -1.92 MPa, but total carotenoids concentration and also the ratio of carotenoids to total chlorophyll were significantly increased compared to controls.