Response of Ficus carica Lam. Ecotypes to water stress conditions

Abstract

The nutritive value and health-promoting capacity of Ficus carica L. (common fig) have recently drawn scientific attention, positioning this fruit crop as a crucial alternative for regions facing water scarcity. Understanding the global significance of fig cultivation, the adaptation mechanisms, and physiological responses to water deficit are critical, especially in water-scarce areas. This study aimed to identify adaptive responses that mitigate the adverse effects of drought on six young genotypes of Ficus carica native to arid zones, assessing their survival under extreme water deficit conditions: the use of young materials aims to identify early desirable responses to water scarcity. A pot experiment with varying soil water conditions was conducted, and response variables were measured, such as relative water content (RWC), leaf gas exchange (Pn, gs, Ci, and E), water efficiency parameters (WUE and int-WUE), and solute content (SSC, and Pro). Exploration through principal component analysis, Pearson correlation coefficients, and regression revealed a possible adaptive response, particularly a significant negative correlation between Proline (Pro) and RWC. Noteworthy accessions, Guadalupe Victoria, and Ceballos, demonstrated exceptional resilience under water deficit conditions. This study expands to physiological and biochemical markers, revealing various adaptive mechanisms, including osmotic adjustment, stomatal regulation, and proline accumulation. The accession Guadalupe Victoria exhibited a remarkable water deficit, emphasizing the role of osmotic adjustments in maintaining water balance and cellular function. These findings provide valuable insights for selecting drought-tolerant fig genotypes, contributing to sustainable production in water-scarce environments.