Agricultural

Communication

Biosci. Biotech. Res. Comm. 10(3): 504-513 (2017)

Effect of water stress on gland function and some

qualitative traits of commercial cultivars and promising

potato clones

M. Ziachehreh

*, A. Tobeh

, D. Hassanpanah

, Sh. Jamaati

and Y. Jahani

MSc Student of Agronomy, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

Associate Professor, Departmant Agronomy, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

Assistant Professor Ardabil Agriculture and Natural Resources Research and Education Centre (Moghan),

Ardabil, Iran

Young Researchers Club, Ardabil Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ardabil, Iran

Researcher, Ardabil Agriculture and Natural Resources Research and Education Centre (Moghan), Ardabil, Iran

ABSTRACT

In order to evaluate the effect of water stress on gland function and some of qualitative traits of commercial cultivars and

potato clone, the experiment was performed as split-plot design based on randomized complete blocks with 3 replications

in agricultural research and education station and natural resources of Ardabil in 2015. In order to determine the tolerance

of cultivars and clone against water stress, susceptibility indexes and tolerance against water stress were used. The results

of analysis of variance showed that the traits of total gland function, gland protein function, and percentage of dry mat-

ter of the gland, under the effect of irrigation levels and all traits of interest, became signi cant under the main effect of

genotype. Also, the interaction of irrigation levels and cultivar was signi cant for the percentage of the dry matter of the

gland. In this study, substituting moderate water stress for normal irrigation lead to about 27% saving on irrigation water

consumption. Agria and Marfona cultivars produced highest percentage and function of protein and gland methionine.

Clone 397008-9 showed the highest function of total gland and according to GMP, MP, and SSI indexes, had higher toler-

ance threshold relative to water stress. Also, Agria and Spirit cultivars had highest percentage of dry matter in severe and

moderate water stress, respectively. STI showed signi cant superiority in identifying resistant genotypes.

KEY WORDS: TOLERANCE INDEX, PROTEIN FUNCTION, DRY MATTER, METHIONINE

504

ARTICLE INFORMATION:

*Corresponding Author:

Received 10

June, 2017

Accepted after revision 13

Sep, 2017

BBRC Print ISSN: 0974-6455

Online ISSN: 2321-4007 CODEN: USA BBRCBA

Thomson Reuters ISI ESC and Crossref Indexed Journal

NAAS Journal Score 2017: 4.31 Cosmos IF: 4.006

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Online Contents Available at:

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DOI: 10.21786/bbrc/10.3/25

Ziachehreh et al.

INTRODUCTION

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is a one-year plant from

Solananceae family and after corn, rice, and wheat, is in

the fourth place in global scale. In this scale, Iran is in

the twelfth place regarding potato production and in the

Asia, is in the third place, so that the cultivation area of

this product during 92-93 was 159000 hectares (FAQ,

2014). Since the provision of food necessitates maximum

utilization of limited resources, therefore, awareness of

factors that in uence the function of each plant and its

effect on increased agricultural plants function is very

important. Also, its provision is an important factor in

increasing the quality and quantity of crops, especially

potato. Water stress is one of the most important factors

that limits crops production (Passioura, 2007). Numerous

studies have shown that potato has high susceptibility to

water stress in all stages (Rezazadeh et al., 2015; Shock

et al., 2013, Li et al., 2016).

The results of studies by Haghighi et al. (2015)

showed that the effect of water stress treatments on

gland function is signi cant and with increased irriga-

tion water, the function increases. Water stress has a

direct effect on proteinizaton process and water short-

age in plant, in addition to hydrolyzing the available

proteins, stops synthesis of new proteins (Kazemi, 1994).

Since the function of crops under stress condition, due

to genotype and environmental effects, is not considered

as a suitable benchmark to select genotypes resistant

against drought, various indexes are proposed to select

plants based on function. In investigating the tolerance

of water de cit under in vitro and in vivo conditions,

Hasanpanah (2010), based on MP, GMP, STI, and MSTI,

selected Kaiser as the superior cultivar under normal

and water stress conditions. Since a major part of lands

are under arid and semi-arid conditions and rainfall are

decreased in recent years, potato production has been

faced by numerous problems. Therefore, accurate analy-

sis as well as qualitative and quantitative assessments

and determining to tolerance and susceptibility against

water in different growth stages constitute one of the

most important methods to decrease concerning effects

of water de cit. Therefore, this study aimed to use tol-

erance and susceptibility against water stress in farm

conditions.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This study was conducted during 2014-2015 in agri-

cultural research and education station and natural

resources of Ardabil. Ardabil province has moderate

and semi-temperate climate with very cool winters and

springs and moderate summers. Average maximum and

minimum annual temperature and maximum regional

temperature were 19.8, 15.18, and 21.58, respectively.

Also, average rainfall has been reported as 310 mm

(Unknown, 2016). Soil properties of the area are pre-

sented in Table (1).

The experiment was performed as split-plot design

based on randomized complete blocks with 3 replica-

tions. Irrigation as the main plot was considered with

three levels including provision of 100% water needs

(control treatment), moderate water stress, and severe

water stress. Also, cultivar was considered as the minor

plot at six levels including Agria , Spirit, Marfona ,

Luca, Hermes, and promising clone. In the autumn

of 2014, land preparation operation was performed

as deep plowing, disc cutting, and land levelling the

farm. At the beginning of May, stacking and plotting

operation was performed and glands were cultivated.

Treatments were implemented in experimental plots

with the area of 22.5 square meter consisted of four

6-meter lines with the distances of 75 cm between two

rows and 25 cm between two bushes. To prevent water

penetration from adjacent plots, 3 m and 1.5 m were

considered between the main plot and the minor plots

as margin. To control Colorado beetle pest, con dorous

pesticide (250 ml) was used before  owering of potato.

Also, to prevent whippery, mancozeb was used (1 kg/

ha) before  owering stage. According to the results of

soli analysis in the area of interest, 150 kg/ha ammo-

nium phosphate was used in two turns (50% while cul-

tivation and 50% in gland formation), urea (350 kg/

ha) in three turns (25% while cultivation, 50% while

emergence, and 25% immediately after gland forma-

tion), and potassium sulfate (150 kg) in one turn (cul-

tivation). Weed practices were performed in two turns

before gland formation in all experimental plots. In

Ardabil and neighborhood areas, water stress mainly

occurs in July and August and for this reason, the pur-

pose is to identify cultivars that are resistant against

stress in the  nal tension of the season. The implemen-

tation of irrigation treatments was as follow:

Normal irrigation treatment was initiated one day

after gland cultivation (Juan 6) and continued until

October, 2 (harvesting) that was accompanied by two

irrigations (5-7 days) with providing 100% water needs

of the plant. In the plots under this treatment, irrigation

times from cultivation to harvesting, included 11 times

and water volume and applied water were 10950 and

11638 cubic meter, respectively.

Moderate water stress treatment was initiated one

day after gland cultivation (Juan 6) and continued until

July, 2 with irrigation period of 5-7 days and provi-

sion of 100% water need. Then, the irrigation operation

stopped after 15 days (two times of irrigation). After this

period, irrigation operation followed normal condition

until October, 2 with the provision of 100% water need.

BIOSCIENCE BIOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS EFFECT OF WATER STRESS ON GLAND FUNCTION 505

Ziachehreh et al.

Therefore, in the plots of this treatment, the number of

irrigations until cultivation was 9 and water volume and

applied water were estimated as 8040 and 8728 cubic

meter, respectively. Severe water stress was initiated one

day after cultivation (Juan 6) and continued until July,

2 with the provision of 100% water need and irrigation

period of 5-7 days in normal condition. Then, the irriga-

tion operation continued until October, 2 win normal

condition and provision of 100% water need. Therefore,

in the plots of this treatment, the number of irrigations

was 7 and irrigation water and applied water were 6600

and 7288 cubic meter, respectively.

The initiation of irrigation in the farm of interest in

climatic condition of Ardabil was estimated based on

evaporation of 28 mm water from pan evaporation sur-

face (40% humidity discharge of available water). In

other words, to estimate water in experimental plots,

data related to evaporation from pan evaporation (Class

A) were used. Also, Relationship (1) was used to estimate

the required water for normal irrigation treatment (pro-

vision of 100% required water).

Relationship 1: S × EP × 8/0 = IW

Here, IW is required water (cubic meter), 0.8 is pan

coef cient (Moradi et al., 2000), EP is evaporation from

pan evaporation (mm), and S is the area of experimental

plot (square meter). Then, in each irrigation turn, the

required water for plots was estimated and directed to

the plots of interests. Irrigation operation was performed

for all plots until 75 days after cultivation and after that,

moderate and severe water stresses were implemented.

To measure daily precipitation, rainfall meter device was

installed at the pan evaporation and each day in certain

time (12 PM), measurements were performed. Compari-

son of the water required for each treatment and rainfall

has been presented in Table (2).

Harvesting was performed by Octoer, 2. For this pur-

pose, by the end of the season, to measure gland func-

tion, sampling was done for 2 central row in each plot

(5 m) and to remove marginal effects, to marginal rows

were removed. Then, the harvested glands from each

surface (5 ×1.5m) were weighted and the resulted num-

ber was determined as the total gland function at the

surface level (hectares). To determine the dry matter per-

centage of the glands,  rst, 10 glands were randomly

selected and from each samples, 200g was sliced and

after placing them within paper envelopes, they were

placed inside the oven for 48h at the temperature of 72

C (Hasanpanah & Hoseinzadeh, 2007). After this period,

samples were weighted by digital balance and the dry

matter percentage was estimated using Relationship (2):

Relationship 2: dry matter percentage – (gland weight

after drying/initial weight of glands) ×100

The multiplication of gland dry matter percentage

and gland function has been considered as the gland dry

matter function in hectares. To determine the weight of

gland protein, Bradford method (1976) was used and to

estimate protein function, relationship (3) was used:

Relationship 3: gland function×100/gland protein per-

centage – protein function. Also, methionine function

(having data related to gland protein percentage and

function) was estimated using Relationship (4):Relation-

ship 4: methionine function - protein function×gland

methionine percentage/100

In this study, after harvesting and estimating geno-

types in both stress and normal conditions,  ve main

indexes were used to determine tolerance and suscepti-

bility of genotypes against water stress. To de ne differ-

ent indexes, following terms have been used:

Yp: potential function of each genotype in stress-

free environment

Ys: potential function of each genotype in stress

environment

p: average function of all genotypes in stress-

free environment

s: average function of all genotypes in stress

environment

Stress Susceptibility Index (SSI) was proposed by Fischer

and Mourer (1978) as follow:

Relationship 5: SSI = [1- (Ys /Yp)] /SI

In this relationship, SI is estimated as follow:

SI =1- (Y

s/Y

In genotype assessment using SSI, higher value of the

index shows genotype susceptibility to stress. Therefore,

genotype selection should be based on low SSI values.

Tolerance index (TOL) was de ned Roseili and Ham-

bline (1981) as function disorder in stress and stress-free

environments:

Relationship 6: TOL = Yp – Ys

In genotype assessment using this index, higher index

value shows susceptibility to stress; therefore, genotype

selection should be based on low value of TOL.

Mean Productivity (MP) that was proposed by Ros-

ielle and Hamblin (1981) as follow:

Relationship (7): MP = (YS + YP)/2

This index in the mean of genotype utilization in stress

and stress-free conditions and selects genotypes that

have high function in desirable conditions, but are in

undesirable condition in term of function. Therefore,

506 EFFECT OF WATER STRESS ON GLAND FUNCTION BIOSCIENCE BIOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS

Ziachehreh et al.

BIOSCIENCE BIOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS EFFECT OF WATER STRESS ON GLAND FUNCTION 507

selection based in MP index is ef cient for genotypes

with high potential.

Stress tolerance Index (STI) is estimated by Relation-

ship (8) and Geometric Mean Productivity (GMP) is esti-

mated by Relationship (9):

To perform statistical analyses and data estimations such

as analysis of variance, correlation coef cient between

assessment characteristics, and estimating tolerance

indexes, SAS 9.1 was used. Also, to compare means, LSD

test at the probability level of 5% was used.

levels and cultivars at the probability levels of 5% and

1% while the interaction of these two factors did not

show any signi cant difference (Table 4). Comparison of

total gland function at different irrigation levels showed

that normal irrigation treatment has highest function at

the surface level (31290 kg/ha). Also, moderate water

stress was placed in mutual statistical group and showed

a signi cant difference with severe water stress treat-

ment (Table 5).

According to the economic importance of gland

function as well as difference in two irrigation rounds

between normal irrigation and moderate water stress, it

seems that the implementation of moderate water stress

in potato farms and replacing it by normal irrigation

method, in addition to obtaining suitable total function,

leads to relative saving on water consumption. Signi -

cance of the difference between genotypes shows the

variety of genetic materials for the trait of interest, so

Table 1. Soil test results at the depth of 0 to 30 cm

Soil

texture

Saturated

moisture

content

Electrical

conductivity

Organic

carbon

percentage

Total

percentage of

neutralizing

material

Total

nitrogen

percentage

Zinc

(mg/kg)

Iron

(mg/kg)

Manganese

(mg/kg)

Copper

(mg/kg)

Absorbable

potassium

(mg/kg)

Absorbable

phosphorus

(mg/kg)

Lumi 43 0.874 0.797 1.03 6.5 0.1 10.1 5.18 16.2 7.52 318 5.8

Table 2. Comparing irrigation water volume of experimental plots

Treatment

Irrigation

rounds (day)

Number of

irrigations

Irrigation

volume (cubic

meter/ha)

Rainfall

Effective

rainfall (cubic

meter/ha)

Applied water

volume (cubic

meter/ha)

Cubic

meter/ha

Normal

irrigation

5-7 11 10950 86 860 688 11638

Moderate

stress

5-7 9 8040 86 860

688

8728

Severe

stress

5-7 7 6600 86 860

688

7288

Table 3. Rainfall statistics of the area in 2015

Month Rainfall (mm) Month Rainfall (mm)

April 35.7 October 58.3

May 26.5 November 46.6

Juan 7 December 13.9

July 3.6 January 6.4

August 0 February 24.9

September 48.9 March 36.7

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

TOTAL GLAND FUNCTION

The results of analysis of variance for this trait showed

that there is a signi cant difference between irrigation

that the promising clone 397008-9 with including Agria,

Spirit, Marfona, Luca, and Hermes shows the highest

gland function mean and signi cant different with other

cultivars. Also, Spirit and Hermes cultivars produced

minimum total mean of gland function (Table 6).

Correlation coef cient table showed that total gland

function has a positive and signi cant correlation

with most of traits (Table 8). In moderate and severe

water stress, a signi cant and positive correlation was

observed between total gland function and gland protein

function (Tables 9 and 10). Also, a signi cant and posi-

tive correlation was observed between gland dry matter

and total gland function under moderate water stress.

Also, in moderate water stress, MP and GMP, in addition

to having signi cant and positive correlation with each

other, showed the same correlation with STI (Table 11).

Ziachehreh et al.

508 EFFECT OF WATER STRESS ON GLAND FUNCTION BIOSCIENCE BIOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS

Table 4. Square mean of traits in potato cultivars and irrigation levels

Change sources

Degree of

freedom

Total gland

function

Gland

protein

percentage

Gland

protein

function

Gland dry

matter

percentage

Gland dry

matter

function

Gland

methionine

value

Replication 2 206.37 0.0003 2959.44 0.69 8.72 0.002

Irrigation levels 2 118.34* 0.00794** 619.92** 22.14** 1.02ns 0.00032ns

False 4 31.94 0.00017 330.04 0.43 1.11 0.002

Genotype 5 316.87** 0.01003** 4471.16** 26.32** 18.82** 0.032**

Cultivars ×

irrigation levels

10 35.83ns 0.00014ns 471.88ns 3.46** 1.36ns 0.001ns

False 30 41.15 0.0002 584.72 0.53 1.44 0.003

Change percentage

(%)

22.59 3.99 23.38 3.75 21.59 29.10

Table 5. Comparing the mean of irrigation levels on some of potato traits

Gland total

function (kg/ha)

Gland protein

percentage (%)

Gland protein

function (kg/ha)

Irrigation

levels

31290

b3.4b190.01

Normal

irrigation

ab27590a3.76a205.71Moderate stress

b26320a3.7b192.14Severe stress

Table 6. Comparing the mean of cultivar on some of potato traits

Gland

function

(kg/ha)

Gland protein

percentage

(%)

Gland protein

function

(kg/ha)

Gland dry

matter function

(kg/ha)

Gland

methionine

(microgram/mg)

Cultivars

a29647a4a253.21a6240a0.25Agria

a32403a4a252.46a6930a0.25Marfona

a33100b3.6a230.81a6370b0.16

Luca

b22790d3.2b146.65b3900b0.12Spirit

b19303c3.4b119.95b3540b0.14Hermes

a33110b3.6a229.21a6360a0.23Clone 379008-9

In severe water stress, MP and GMP showed a signi -

cant and positive correlation at the probability level of

5% with STI and under these circumstances and proba-

bility level of 1%, a signi cant and positive relationship

was observed between MP and GMP (Table 12). Accord-

ing to the table of simple coef cients between indexes,

correlation between potential function and stress in

moderate stress (r=0.893) and severe stress (r=0.937) was

signi cant (Table 13 and 14). The function of genotypes

in stress-free environment showed a positive correlation

with STI, MP, and GMP. Also, correlation between the

function of genotypes under moderate water stress and

STI, MP, and GMP as well as under severe water stress

with STI, MP, GMP, and TOL was positive. High correla-

tion between STI and genotype function in stress and

stress-free environments shows superiority of this index

relative to the indexes of interest in the assessment of

genetic variety and screening tolerant genotypes as

well as estimation of function resistance. Maralian et al.

(2014) investigated the effect of low irrigation of gland

function of different potato genotypes and found that

60% provision of water leads to decreased gland func-

tion of potato genotypes from 754 g to 640 g (17.7%).

GLAND PROTEIN PERCENTAGE

The results of analysis of variance showed that there

is a signi cant difference between different irrigation

levels and cultivars at the probability level of 1% while

no signi cant difference was observed in the interaction

of these two factors for the traits of interest (Table 4).

Comparing gland protein percentage at irrigation levels

showed that moderate and severe water stress treatment

have highest mean of gland protein percentage and

Ziachehreh et al.

BIOSCIENCE BIOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS EFFECT OF WATER STRESS ON GLAND FUNCTION 509

showed a signi cant difference with normal irrigation

(Table 5). It seems that high values of protein in water

stress treatments is the result of low gland function. Sig-

ni cance of the difference between genotypes showed

genetic variation for traits, so that Agria and marfona

cultivars showed highest percentage of gland protein

(4%) and signi cant difference with other cultivars. Also,

the lowest gland protein percentage mean belonged to

Spirit (Table 6). Correlation coef cients between assess-

ment characteristics in normal irrigation showed that

protein percentage has a signi cant and positive cor-

relation with most of traits (Table 8). Also, although no

positive and signi cant correlation was observed with

other traits, under severe water stress, methionine level

and gland dry matter percentage showed signi cant and

positive correlation at the probability levels of 1% and

5% with traits (Tables 9 and 10). With increased water

stress severity, protein percentage increases; therefore,

change in protein structure or its destruction is one of

the metabolic stages that may be in uenced by water

stress (Ommen, 1999).

GLAND PROTEIN FUNCTION

The results of analysis of variance for this trait showed

that there is a signi cant relationship between irriga-

tion levels and cultivars at the probability level of 1%

while no signi cant relationship was observed in the

interaction between these factors (Table 4). According

to the comparison between protein function mean at the

irrigation level, moderate water stress showed the high-

est gland protein function (205.71 kg/ha) and showed a

signi cant difference with normal irrigation and severe

water stress. Lowest gland protein function was observed

under normal irrigation condition and severe water

stress (Table 5). In other words, by replacing moderate

water stress with normal irrigation, about 27% of water

consumption was saved. Signi cant difference between

genotypes showed genetic variety between cultivars.

Comparing the effect of genotype on gland protein

function showed that the highest mean of gland protein

function is related to Agria , Marfona , Luca, and prom-

ising clone 379008-9. Lowest mean of protein function

at the surface level belonged to Spirit and Hermes (Table

6). Correlation coef cient table about traits in normal

irrigation showed that gland protein function has a sig-

ni cant and positive relationship with most of traits

(Table 8). Also, under moderate and severe stress condi-

tions, signi cant and positive correlation was observed

between this trait and gland function. Moreover, the

trait and gland dry matter function in moderate and

severe water stress conditions showed signi cant and

positive correlation at the probability levels of 5% and

1% (Tables 9 and 10).

GLAND DRY MATTER PERCENTAGE

The results of analysis of variance showed that there is

a signi cant different between different moisture con-

tents, cultivars, and interaction between irrigation lev-

Table 7. Gland dry matter percentage of potato cultivars at different irrigation levels

AgriaMarfonaSpiritLucaHermes

Clone

397008-9

Irrigation

treatments

abc19.76bcd18.65bcd16.82bcd16.67bcd16.25bcd19Normal

irrigation

ab21.42ab20.59a21.75bcd17.34bcd19.02bcd18.85Moderate water

stress

a22.88bcd19.19bcd19.54bcd17.32bcd19.57bcd19.86Severe water

stress

Table 8. Correlation coef cient between traits in normal irrigation conditions

Gland

total

function

Gland dry

matter

percentage

Gland dry

matter

function

Protein

percentage

Protein

function

Methionine

level

-Gland function

0.79*-

Gland dry matter

percentage

0.97**0.90**-

Gland dry matter

function

0.96**0.91**0.96**-Protein percentage

0.94**0.80*0.94**0.96**-Protein function

0.78*0.99**0.90**0.920.81*-Methionine

Ziachehreh et al.

510 EFFECT OF WATER STRESS ON GLAND FUNCTION BIOSCIENCE BIOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS

Table 9. Correlation coef cients between traits under moderate water stress

Gland

function

Gland dry matter

percentage

Gland dry

matter function

Protein

percentage

Protein

function

Methionine

level

-Gland function

0.34-

Gland dry matter

percentage

0.87*0.76-

Gland dry matter

function

0.190.510.38-Protein percentage

0.95**0.370.84*0.34-Protein function

0.370.99**0.780.490.41-Methionine level

Table 10. Correlation coef cients between traits under severe water stress

Gland

function

Gland dry matter

percentage

Gland dry matter

function

Protein

percentage

Protein

function

Methionine

level

-Gland function

0.26-

Gland dry matter

percentage

0.80-

Gland dry matter

function

0.260.99**0.75-Protein percentage

0.98**0.320.95**0.61-Protein function

0.550.83*0.550.80*0.31-Methionine level

Table 11. Estimating tolerance and susceptibility of cultivars and clone to water

stress by indexes in moderate water stress

YPYSTOLGMPSTISSIMP

Cultivars

and clone

368902681011650305200.6842.1631070Agria

38220281507380343300.8072.1534530Marfona

35140306301610343200.9540.5134330Spirit

22860239301280222100.9440.6222220Luca

17440230805017340-17.280.0934620Hermes

3700033000767021670-14.000.0935670397008-9

Table 12. Estimating tolerance and susceptibility of cultivars and clone to water stress by

indexes in severe water stress

YPYSTOLGMPSTISSIMPCultivars and clone

368902524010090314500.7272.2931850Agria

382203084010070328000.7366.7233800Marfona

35140335304500328100.8723.2732890Spirit

22860215801070-233901.047-1.1923400Luca

17440173905630-200601.323-8.2320260Hermes

37000293304000349400.8922.7635000397008-9

Ziachehreh et al.

BIOSCIENCE BIOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS EFFECT OF WATER STRESS ON GLAND FUNCTION 511

Table 13. Correlation coef cients between susceptibility indexes and tolerance to

drought and function in moderate water stress

YP YS TOL GMP STI SSI MP

YP 1

YS 0.893 1

TOL -0.051 -0.496 1

GMP 0.964 0.980 -0.315 1

STI 0.952 0.988 -0.353 0.999* 1

SSI 0.319 -0.712 0.963 -0.559* -0.593 1

MP 0.969 0.977 -0.297 1* 0.998* -0.544 1

Table 14. Correlation coef cient between susceptibility indexes and tolerance to drought and

function in severe water stress

YP YS TOL GMP STI SSI MP

YP 1

YS 0.937 1

TOL -0.528 0.792 1

GMP 0.973 0.992 -0.710 1

STI 0.960 0.997* -0.745 0.999* 1

SSI 0.289 -0.972 0.912 -0.936** -0.953* 1

MP 0.978 0.989 0.695 1** 0.997* -0.928 1

els and cultivars at the probability level of 1% (Table

4). Comparing the effect of irrigation levels on gland

dry matter percentage showed that the highest mean of

gland dry matter is related to moderate and severe water

stress conditions and these treatments were at the high-

est level of statistical group and showed a signi cant

difference with normal irrigation treatment (Table 5).

It seems that increased dry matter percentage of potato

under water stress is resulted from low level of gland

function. According to considering water stress treat-

ments in the same group and necessity for savings on

water consumption, moderate water stress is recom-

mended for nutritional goals and potato processing

(chips, franchise, etc.). Signi cant difference between

genotypes showed the existence of genetic variation

between cultivars. Comparing the effect of this cultivar

on this trait showed that Agria and Spirit have the high-

est mean of gland dry matter and showed a signi cant

difference compared with other cultivars. Hermes with

the lowest mean of gland dry matter was at the lowest

position of the statistical group (Table 6).

Comparing the mean of interaction between irrigation

levels and cultivar for this trait showed that Agria and

Spirit have the highest percentage of gland dry matter

under severe (22.8%) and moderate (21.75%) water stress

conditions and it seems that it can be used as a suitable

mixture to produce fried products and use in process-

ing industry to save water consumption in agriculture.

Correlation coef cient table showed that gland dry mat-

ter percentage has a signi cant and positive correlation

with most of traits (Table 8). Also, this trait under mod-

erate water stress showed a signi cant and positive cor-

relation with methionine level and under severe stress

condition, showed a signi cant and positive correlation

with methionine and gland protein percentage (Tables 9

and 10).

GLAND DRY MATTER FUNCTION

The results of analysis of variance for this trait showed

that there is a signi cant difference between cultivars

at the probability level of 1% while irrigation levels

and interaction between these factors did not show any

signi cant difference (Table 4). Signi cant difference

between genotypes shows the variety of genetic sub-

stance of cultivars for the trait. Comparing the effect

of cultivar on this trait showed that Marfona wit Luca,

clone 397008-9, and Agria have the highest gland dry

function mean and showed a signi cant difference with

other cultivars. In this study, Spirit and Hermes showed

the lowest mean of gland dry matter function at the sur-

face level (Table 6). Correlation coef cient table between

traits in normal irrigation condition showed that gland

dry matter percentage has a signi cant and positive

correlation with most of traits (Table 8). Also, this trait

under moderate water stress showed a signi cant and

Ziachehreh et al.

512 EFFECT OF WATER STRESS ON GLAND FUNCTION BIOSCIENCE BIOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS

positive correlation with gland and protein function

(Tables 9 and 10). The results of studies by Kumar et al.

(2007) with different irrigation treatments showed that

increased water stress decreases gland dry matter func-

tion.

GLAND METHIONINE LEVEL

Analysis of variance for the trait of interest showed that

there is not any signi cant difference between different

irrigation levels and interaction between irrigation and

cultivar levels while cultivars for this trait showed a sig-

ni cant difference at the probability level of 1% (Table

4). Signi cant difference between genotypes showed the

variety of genetic substances for the trait of interest.

Comparing the mean of the effect of cultivar on this

trait showed that the highest methionine level belongs

to Agria , Marfona , and clone 3977008-9 and showed a

signi cant difference with other cultivars. Luca, Hermes,

and Spirit produced lowest level of gland methionine

(Table 6). Correlation coef cient table between traits in

normal irrigation condition showed that gland methio-

nine has a signi cant and positive correlation with

most of traits (Table 8). Also, this trait, under moderate

water stress, showed a signi cant and positive correla-

tion with gland dry matter percentage and under severe

water stress, showed a signi cant and positive correla-

tion with gland dry matter percentage and gland protein

percentage (Tables 9 and 10). Muttucumaru et al. (2015)

by investigating 5 cultivars of potato resistant and sus-

ceptible to drought found out that cultivars were signi -

cantly different in terms of methionine concentration.

Also, methionine concentration of cultivars resistant to

drought is higher than cases sensitive to drought.

CONCLUSION

Moderate water stress lead to the production of suitable

gland function. Also, the highest percentage of gland pro-

tein (3.76%), gland protein function, and highest dry mat-

ter percentage (19.83) belonged to this treatment. There-

fore, due to the economic importance of gland function

and decreased levels of water consumption (2910 cubic

meter) compared with normal treatment, the implemen-

tation of moderate stress and replacing it with normal

irrigation seems more economic. Agria and Marfona

produced the highest protein percentage (4%) and gland

methionine. Also, Agria and Spirit in severe (22.88%) and

moderate (21.75%) water stress conditions showed high-

est gland dry matter percentage and it seems that it can

be introduced as a suitable treatment. The highest values

of gland protein function belonged to Agria and Mar-

fona . Clone 397008-9 produced the highest gland func-

tion mean ((33100 kg/ha) and according to MP indexes

(severe and moderate water stress), SSI (moderate water

stress), and GMP (severe water stress) showed higher tol-

erance compared with water stress and it can be used for

commercial purposes. High correlation between STI and

genotype functions in stress and stress-free environments

showed the superiority of this index in screening tolerant

genotypes and function tolerance estimation.

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