Expression Analysis of Candidate Genes in Common Vetch (Vicia sativa L.) Under Drought Stress

Vicia sativa L., an annual winter growing leguminous plant, is a valuable source of protein and minerals for cattle. Drought is one of the key stress factors that influence plant growth and development. In order to investigate common vetch physiological and molecular responses under Normal irrigation (N) and two levels of drought stress [S1= 30% and S2= 10% Field Capacity (FC)], a greenhouse experiment was carried out on two genotypes, namely, Mahalimaraghe and 41,and some physiological traits [e.g. Relative Water Content (RWC), Electro Leakage (EL), total protein, chlorophyll (a, b), and carotenoid content] were measured and expression patterns of three genes (sod, aq1 and bzip) were evaluated by real-time quantitative RT-PCR analysis. Results showed that expression pattern of all three genes and physiological responses had significantly changed in response to the stress. The highest increase in the expression of each of the three genes was observed in Mahalimaraghegenotype in S1 condition compared to N. In contrast, under S2 condition compared to N, the highest increase in expression of the three genes was observed in genotype 41. In comparison of S2 with S1, the highest changes in expression of all the three genes was observed in Mahalimaraghe genotype. All together, the obtained results may facilitate the understanding of molecular mechanism of V. sativa in response to drought stress, and also provide the basis of effective genetic engineering strategies for improving stress tolerance of V. sativa.