Some morphological and biochemical parameters in Cymbopogon olivieri under drought stress

Water deficiency in arid and semiarid areas is a limiting factor for plant growth، and plants have different mechanism for drought resistance. In this study، effects water stress in three levels of field capacity was examined on Cymbopogon Olivieri. According to the results، morphological features such as length and weight of root and shoot decreased in all treatments. Chlorophyll a content in 75%FC and 50%FC was higher than the control treatment، but 25%FC showed significant reduction. Clorophyll b and total chlorophyll had no significant differences in all treatments. Leaf anthocyanin content declined in 75%FC، but increased in 50%FC treatment، and also showed a significant increase in 25%FC treatment. The ascorbate content of leaf which is index of antioxidants showed a significant reduction as the water stress increased. Dehydroascorbate content showed a significant increase in 25%FC and 50%FC treatments. Proline content of leaves showed significant increase as the water stress increased. According to the results it can be mentioned that generally stress conditions caused growth reduction، but inducing the biochemical indices of tolerance.