Abstract
The aim of the study was to evaluate the resistance of caraway genotypes to water deficit based on the estimation of cell membrane stability (CMS) in leaves using polyethylene glycol (PEG) test. In 2007 and 2008, 25 selected caraway genotypes, originating from European botanical gardens (18), cultivars (2) and our own breeding strains (5), were tested. The plant material was collected from the experimental field. The obtained results showed highly significant differences in cell membrane injuries (p = 0.001) among investigated genotypes. The rank of genotypes in membrane injury index in 2007 was similar to that of 2008. Caraway genotypes originating from Warsaw (49.4%), Cracow (45.3%), Reykiavik (39.9%), Berlin (23.8%), Wisley (22.7%) and strains 9/2 (23.7%), 60/8 (22.2%) exhibited a high level of injury, which showed weak CMS and their high sensitivity to drought. The lowest extent of membrane injury was observed in genotypes originating from Bayreuth (4.2%), Ulm (4.4%), Cluj (5.5%), Lousanne (6.8%) and cultivar "Kończewicki" VI/4 (6.2%), which proves low sensitivity of these genotypes to water deficit and cell membrane stability. These genotypes may be used in further breeding program to improve caraway resistance to drought.
Keywords
caraway; genotypic variability; membrane injury; PEG test
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