Articles
Preliminary evaluation of water stress responses in carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua L.) cultivars under Mediterranean conditions: implications for sustainable agriculture
Article number
1464_5
Pages
31 – 38
Language
English
Abstract
Carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua L.), native to the Mediterranean region, is increasingly recognized as a resilient crop due to its ability to thrive in nutrient-poor soils and harsh climatic conditions.
Its adaptability to marginal lands and tolerance to adverse environments make it a promising candidate for sustainable agriculture, particularly in the face of climate change.
This study aims to evaluate the response of ten carob cultivars to water stress under uniform drought conditions.
The trial was conducted in an experimental orchard in Sa Granja (Mallorca, Spain), established in 2021. All cultivars were grown under identical deficit irrigation conditions (500 m3 ha‑1 year‑1). Key water stress parameters, including stem water potential (Ψ), stomatal conductance (gs) and leaf chlorophyll concentration (SPAD), were measured from June to September.
Cultivars included local cultivars (‘Duraió’, ‘D’en Pau’, ‘Bugadera’, ‘Des Mestre’, ‘Roja d’Eivissa’), commercial cultivars (‘Rojal’, ‘Turis’, ‘8P’), and open-pollinated selections (‘E13P’ and ‘Granja’). ‘D’en Pau’ consistently maintained a higher water potential during the peak evaporative demand period (218 DOY) with -1.15 MPa, followed by ‘8P’ (-1.45 MPa) and ‘E13P’ (-1.59 MPa). In contrast, ‘Turis’ (-2.47 MPa), ‘Rojal’ (-2.59 MPa) and ‘Bugadera’ (-2.65 MPa) exhibited greater sensitivity to water stress. ‘Duraió’ showed the highest gs (604.7 mmol m‑2 s‑1), associated with enhanced gas exchange capacity, and temperature regulation, while ‘Bugadera’ displayed the lowest (167.9 mmol m‑2 s‑1). ‘Des Mestre’ (60.09 SPAD) and ‘D’en Pau’ (58.32 SPAD) retained the highest chlorophyll levels, suggesting superior photosynthetic capacity under stress conditions.
These findings highlight ‘D’en Pau’, ‘8P’, and ‘Des Mestre’ as interesting cultivars for sustainable agriculture in water-limited environments.
The insights gained from this study contribute to future crop adaptation strategies in the face of climate change.
Its adaptability to marginal lands and tolerance to adverse environments make it a promising candidate for sustainable agriculture, particularly in the face of climate change.
This study aims to evaluate the response of ten carob cultivars to water stress under uniform drought conditions.
The trial was conducted in an experimental orchard in Sa Granja (Mallorca, Spain), established in 2021. All cultivars were grown under identical deficit irrigation conditions (500 m3 ha‑1 year‑1). Key water stress parameters, including stem water potential (Ψ), stomatal conductance (gs) and leaf chlorophyll concentration (SPAD), were measured from June to September.
Cultivars included local cultivars (‘Duraió’, ‘D’en Pau’, ‘Bugadera’, ‘Des Mestre’, ‘Roja d’Eivissa’), commercial cultivars (‘Rojal’, ‘Turis’, ‘8P’), and open-pollinated selections (‘E13P’ and ‘Granja’). ‘D’en Pau’ consistently maintained a higher water potential during the peak evaporative demand period (218 DOY) with -1.15 MPa, followed by ‘8P’ (-1.45 MPa) and ‘E13P’ (-1.59 MPa). In contrast, ‘Turis’ (-2.47 MPa), ‘Rojal’ (-2.59 MPa) and ‘Bugadera’ (-2.65 MPa) exhibited greater sensitivity to water stress. ‘Duraió’ showed the highest gs (604.7 mmol m‑2 s‑1), associated with enhanced gas exchange capacity, and temperature regulation, while ‘Bugadera’ displayed the lowest (167.9 mmol m‑2 s‑1). ‘Des Mestre’ (60.09 SPAD) and ‘D’en Pau’ (58.32 SPAD) retained the highest chlorophyll levels, suggesting superior photosynthetic capacity under stress conditions.
These findings highlight ‘D’en Pau’, ‘8P’, and ‘Des Mestre’ as interesting cultivars for sustainable agriculture in water-limited environments.
The insights gained from this study contribute to future crop adaptation strategies in the face of climate change.
Authors
J. Pou, L. Tortella, J. Miquel, B. Pisà, M.C. Garau
Keywords
carob cultivars, water stress, stem water potential, stomatal conductance, chlorophyll concentration, climate change, ‘E13P’
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