Effects of Water Stress on Water Relations and Chlorophyll Content in Fig ‘Sabz’ Grafted on Different Rootstocks

Grafting sensitive cultivar on drought-tolerant genotypes, is a promising tool to increase water stress tolerance and improve water use efficiency in dry conditions. In this research, six grafted and non-grafted genotypes (Sabz/Sabz, Sabz/Siah, Sabz/Torsh, Sabz, Siah, Torsh) were used in a completely randomized design with four levels of irrigation (100, 75, 50 and 25% water requirement; WR) and 4 replications under greenhouse condition. Results showed that with increasing water stress in all grafted and non-grafted figs, the chlorophyll content significantly decreased. However, in 100% and 75% WR, Sabz and Siah rootstocks significantly increased leaf chlorophyll content, contribution of Siah rootstock was twofold of Sabz rootstock. In relation to leaf water content, grafted combinations of Sabz/Sabz and Sabz/Siah maintained more leaf water content than Sabz/Torsh in 50 and 25% WR.