Physiological responses of Pistacia vera L. versus Pistacia atlantica Desf. to water stress conditions under arid bioclimate in Tunisia

Water stress represents the major factor that affects the growth and development of plants in the arid and semi-arid areas. To improve crop management, the selection of better yielding species under such condition is a principal strategy. In this study, the responses of two pistachio species were studied after water stress followed by re-watering. Indeed, the leaf water potential, relative water content, total chlorophyll content and leaf gas exchanges were assessed during water stress and re-watering. The results showed that, under water stress, Pistacia atlantica Desf. maintained water status, leaf gas exchanges and total chlorophyll content stable compared to Pistacia vera L., which experienced a great decrease. After rehydration, P. atlantica showed fast recovery of stomatal parameters, compared to P. vera, suggesting a good tolerance to water stress. The variation of P. vera and P. atlantica responses to water stress and re-watering suggested the higher adaptation of P. atlantica to water stress compared to P. vera. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.