INFLUENCE OF WATER REGIME ON PHYSIOLOGICAL – BIOCHEMICAL INDICA-TORS OF TRITICALE SAMPLES

Abstract The work is devoted to the assessment of resistance to water shortage of triticale samples. The parameters of the water regime, such as relative turgidity, water-holding and water-absorbing capacities and the content of free proline in 13 triticale samples under water deficit conditions were determined. During the studies, the water regime was assessed at the booting phase. Under optimal conditions, the water-holding capacity of triticale plants was 62.6 - 81.0%, under water deficit this indicator fluctuated within the range of 62.8 (TRL-466) - 90.8% (TRL-472). The water-absorbing capacity of the control triticale samples varied from 83.2% (TRL-465) to 110.7% (TRL-458). The water-absorbing capacity in most experimental variants under water deficit conditions was slightly lower than under optimal conditions. Relative turgidity under optimal conditions was 72.7 - 85.7%, during water shortage it varied from 58.1% (TRL-470) to 86.8% (TRL-455). Determination of free proline content in leaves of triticale samples selected according to water-holding capacity indicators in the control revealed an increase in proline content in experimental plants. Taking into account the results of water regime parameters and free proline content, triticale samples TRL - 455, TRL -456, TRL -472, TRL -479 can be considered more resistant to water stress.