Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Drought and waterlogging are two of the major environmental stresses that affect crop production
worldwide. Field pea is an important legume crop, which is sensitive to both drought and
waterlogging with a negative effect on its yield and overall productivity. The present master’s
project is part of the SLU Grogrund project called “Pea – the key for future green protein”.
To examine if selection for waterlogging tolerance at germination is possible and if there are any
traits that show covariation to waterlogging tolerance at germination, a total of 100 seed genotypes
were submerged in a solution of CaSO4 and the germination and electrical conductivity of these
genotypes were studied. This study found that the ability to germinate in a submerged condition was
associated with testa colour and testa membrane integrity. Therefore, testa colour and testa
membrane integrity can serve as an indicator to identify waterlogging tolerant genotypes at
germination.
Eighteen pea accessions from the germination experiments were then subjected to a waterlogging
and drought treatment study at the seedling stage. The responses of all these accessions were studied
using different morpho-physiological parameters. The results indicated that waterlogging and
drought induce physio-morphological changes in pea. The quantum yield of photosystem II,
stomatal conductance, and electron transport rate were significantly reduced in pea genotypes during
both waterlogging and drought treatment. Leaf temperatures were also significantly high in pea
genotypes. In addition, plant heights, root and shoot dry weight were also significantly reduced
during and after recovery. Five of the field pea accessions showed higher tolerance to both
waterlogging and drought stresses and performed better in most of the physio-morphological
parameters. Among the five acccessions, genotype 271 had the best performance in most of the
physio-morphological parameters. Yield performance of genotypes 211, 259, 247 and 285 were not
affected by waterlogging and drought but performed well compared to the control group except
waterlogging treated genotype 247 that had significant lower yield compared to the control.