28. Changes in the physiological characteristics of marigold (Tagetes patula) cv Usmivka under induced water deficit conditions

Author: Nadejda Zapryanova, Valeria Ivanova, Ivanka Ivanova

DOI: n/a

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Drought is one of the main unfavourable environmental factors which affect the quality and productivity of ornamental plants. Plant responses to the harmful effect of stress factors (drought) are not yet fully understood, as the plant organism employs a large array of adaptive defense reactions to respond to a stress stimulus. By studying the physiological mechanisms of plant resistance under laboratory conditions, the specific responses of the plant to a single stress factor can be observed. In order to simulate the water deficit induced by osmotic stress, different concentrations of polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 were used in the study: 10%, 20%, 30% and 40%.
The object of the study were Bulgarian in vitro Tagetes patula cv. Usmivka. The aim of the present study was to determine the response of in vitro Tagetes patula to drought induced by different PEG 6000 concentrations in different treatment durations. The response to drought stress was studied based on the following end-points: plant growth reactions, relative water content (RWC%), and electrolyte leakage (conductivity).