Effects of water stress on Epidermis and stomata population of sixteen water stressed and irrigated barley (Hordeumvulgare) genotypes

Abstract

16 Barley (Hordeumvulgare) genotypes, namely G30, G54, G65, G74, G77, G83, G94, G98, G116, G119, G126, G127, G142, G144, G154 and G169, were subjected to adequate irrigation during their growing season and to drought only during spike development stage. The results revealed that upper leaf surface more affected by drought than that of lower leaf surface. Most barley genotypes increased their stomata and epidermis populations under water stress, as compared to irrigation, particularly at upper leaf surfaces. Barley genotypes categorized according to their predicted drought resistance abilities as the following: G54, G116> G142, G154, G169, G77>G74, G83, G94, G127, G144> G30, G65, G98, G119, G126.