In Vitro Responses of Lotus Corniculatus L. Cultivar “Leo” to PEG İnduced Drought Stress

Abstract

A perennial species of high-quality legume fodder, Lotus corniculatus L., is susceptible to drought, and productivity is decreased by water scarcity. However, studies on the drought responses of L. corniculatus cultivar(s) are very scarce. The in vitro culture technique is a useful method for examining how various plants react to water stress. In this study, in vitro water stress conditions induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG6000) were used to evaluate the germination and early seedling growth of L. corniculatus cultivar "Leo". For this purpose, L. corniculatus seeds were cultured in MS (Murashige and Skoog/Gamborg) medium containing 0%, 4%, and 8% w/v PEG6000 for 14 days. Seed germination and seedling growth parameters were tested. Low concentrations of PEG (4%, − 0.03 MPa) promoted the seed germination and germination rate index (speed of germination) and shortened the mean germination time of "Leo", whereas high concentrations (8%, − 0.1 MPa) inhibited the germination parameters. Increasing PEG concentration caused a decrease in the length, fresh weight, dry weight and water content of shoots and roots, and an increase in the dry matter ratio of shoots and roots. However, the seedling vigor index decreased significantly with increasing PEG concentration. In addition, it has been determined that root is more affected by drought stress than shoot. The results of this study showed that the yield of L. corniculatus cultivar "Leo" will decrease significantly under drought stress in the osmotic potential of 8% (− 0.1 MPa) PEG concentration.