Detecting drought tolerance of fig (Ficus carica, L.) cultivars depending on vegetative growth and peroxidase activity

This study was carried out to detect the effect of water stress on vegetative growth and peroxidase activity of two fig cultivars grown in new reclaimed land, in Egypt. In order to simulate drought circumstances, two irrigation regimes were used to treat fig plants (Ficus carica , L.) as well as a control treatment, i.e. 100% from class A pan (control), 75% and 50% from class A pan (drought treatments). Plant height, stem diameter, leaves fresh and dry weight and leaf area were measured define the vegetative growth. To quantifying the degree of water status, leaf water content was measured. In addition, free amino acid proline and protein content were measured. Moreover, peroxidase activity and the specific activitiy of peroxidase were determinate in all treatments. Obtained results indicated that the Gizy fig cultivar had the highest vegetative growth compared with Aboudi cultivar under the three irrigation treatments. The peroxidase activities (units/ml) of Gizy cultivar by (100% ETc, 75% ETc and 50% ETc) irrigation treatments were greater than Aboudi cultivars during the two seasons.