Effects of Drought on the Sucrose Metabolism of Subtending Leaves of Cotton Bolls at Different Fruiting Branches and Boll Weight during Flowering and Bolling Stages

This study aimed to illustrate the mechanism of sucrose metabolism in subtending leaves of cotton bolls and its relationship with boll weight under drought stress during flowering and bolling stages. The 2-year-long experiments were conducted using pools of upland cotton(Gossypium hirsutum L.) plants, NuCOTN 33B, subjected to drought stress (relative water content reduced naturally until the boll opening stage) on the day of anthesis of the middle fruiting branches (MFB), using well-watered conditions as the control. The net photosynthetic rate declined under drought stress in the boll's subtending leaf, respectively, and the decline range was MFB>upper fruiting branch (UFB)>lower fruiting branch (LFB). Drought stress increased the soluble sugar contents of subtending leaves at LFB and UFB but decreased them at MFB. Sucrose content was increased and starch content decreased concomitantly, indicating that drought facilitated the partitioning of photosynthate into sucrose. Drought stress also depressed the activities of sucrose phosphate synthase and sucrose synthase, while acid invertase activity was initially decreased and then increased. The changes of MFB and UFB exceeded those of LFB, indicating that sucrose synthesis was inhibited, the degradation was first inhibited then promoted, causing a reduction in the amount of sucrose available for export. As a result, the boll weight declined during drought, and the decline range was MFB>UFB>LFB. In conclusion, the decreased sucrose synthesis and the impaired sucrose efflux of subtending leaves of bolls were the main causes for decreased boll weight under drought conditions during flowering and bolling stages of cotton.     

Soil drought duration and severity affect cotton boll biomass by altering recovery times and carbon dynamics of subtending leaf

Drought appears at flowering and boll formation for cotton frequently. However, reports on the impact of carbon dynamics in the subtending leaf on boll biomass under periodic droughts are limited. To investigate this, experiments were carried out with two cultivars (drought-tolerant: Dexiamian 1; drought-sensitive: Yuzaomian 9110), three water levels [soil relative water content (SRWC): control (75 ± 5)%, moderate drought (60 ± 5)%, severe drought (45 ± 5)%] and five drought durations (10, 17, 24, 31 and 38 days). A 38-day drought declined the net photosynthetic rate of subtending leaf, which could be collectively attributed to the reduction in carboxylation with reduced ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase activity, and stomal limitation with decreased stomatal conductance, along with the damage of photosynthetic apparatus with depressed maximum and actual photochemical quantum yield, leading to lower starch content. A 38-day drought also increased the activities of sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS), sucrose synthase (Susy) and expressions of genes (GhSPS1, GhSPS2, GhSusA and GhSusB) associated with these enzymes, causing the accumulation of sucrose content, finally resulting in lower boll biomass. Some of the above parameters fully recovered under more than 17-day moderate drought or over 10-day severe drought, but boll biomass still decreased after re-watering. Under 10-day moderate drought, all aforementioned indices and boll biomass were completely recovered within 7 days of re-watering, and the recovery capacity of Yuzaomian 9110 was lower than that of Dexiamian 1. Therefore, rapid recovery of photosynthesis and decline in the subtending leaf sucrose content to pre-stress levels are important factors in lessening the impacts of drought on boll biomass and are indicative of cultivar tolerance to short-term moderate water deficit.     

Drought‐induced osmotic adjustment and changes in carbohydrate distribution in leaves and flowers of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Research has indicated osmotic adjustment as a mechanism by which leaves and roots of cotton plants overcome a drought period. However, the relevance of this mechanism in reproductive tissues of modern cultivars under drought has not been fully investigated. The objectives of this study were to measure osmoregulation and carbohydrate balance in reproductive tissues and their subtending leaves grown under water‐deficit conditions. Two cotton cultivars were grown under controlled environment and field conditions. Plants were exposed to water‐deficit stress at peak flowering, approximately 70 days after planting. Measurements included stomatal conductance, proline concentration, soluble carbohydrates and starch concentration, and water potential components. Stomatal conductance of drought‐stressed plants was significantly lower compared to control, while osmotic adjustment occurred in reproductive tissues and their subtending leaves by different primary mechanisms. Pistils accumulated higher sucrose levels, maintaining cell turgor in plants exposed to drought at similar levels to those in well‐watered plants. However, subtending leaves lowered osmotic potential and maintained cell turgor by accumulating more proline. Soluble carbohydrates and starch concentration in leaves were more affected by drought than those of floral tissues, with corresponding reduction in dry matter, suggesting that flowers are more buffered from water‐deficit conditions than the adjacent leaves.     

NaCl及等渗PEG胁迫对番茄叶片光合特性及蔗糖代谢的影响

为了从碳水化合物生产及代谢的角度比较分析盐胁迫和水分胁迫影响番茄产量和果实品质的原因,以番茄品种辽园多丽为试材,分别采用等渗透势的NaCl和PEG6000模拟盐胁迫和水分胁迫,研究二者对番茄光合特性及叶片中糖代谢的影响。结果显示:等渗的NaCl和PEG胁迫导致番茄叶片的净光合速率下降,14 d内PEG处理下降的多一些,14 d后NaCl处理下降的多一些,但总体来说两处理间差异不大;等渗的NaCl和PEG胁迫降低了番茄叶片的气孔导度、胞间CO2浓度和蒸腾速率,增加气孔限制值;等渗的NaCl和PEG胁迫降低了番茄叶片中叶绿素a、b和总叶绿素含量,降低了叶绿素a/b,两处理间差异不大。等渗的NaCl和PEG胁迫下,番茄叶片中的果糖和葡萄糖含量较对照显著增加,PEG胁迫增加的幅度大于盐分胁迫;等渗的NaCl和PEG胁迫下,番茄叶片中的蔗糖和淀粉含量较对照有所降低,水分胁迫降低的幅度也大于盐分胁迫;等渗的NaCl和PEG胁迫增加了番茄叶片中的蔗糖转化酶活性,PEG胁迫增加的幅度大于NaCl胁迫。结果表明:NaCl和PEG胁迫均破坏了番茄叶片的光合机能,降低了光合作用效率,但二者间差异不大;NaCl和PEG胁迫改变了番茄叶片中的糖代谢方向,显著增加了淀粉和蔗糖的分解,提高了叶片中的果糖和葡萄糖含量,PEG胁迫对番茄叶片中糖代谢的影响显著大于NaCl胁迫。     

5-ALA对干旱胁迫下小麦幼苗光合作用及D1蛋白的调节作用

为了探究5-氨基乙酰丙酸（5-aminolevulinic acid,5-ALA）对干旱胁迫下小麦幼苗光合作用损伤的缓解机制,选用矮抗58小麦品种为试验材料,在两叶一心期对叶片喷施浓度为100mg/L的5-ALA,处理3d后对根部施加20%聚乙二醇6000（PEG-6000）模拟干旱环境,2d后取样进行光合以及psbA基因表达分析和D1蛋白含量测定。结果表明,干旱胁迫明显降低了小麦叶片的相对含水量以及叶绿素含量,而喷施外源5-ALA能够明显缓解干旱造成的伤害,同时也减缓了干旱胁迫下小麦幼苗净光合速率（P_n）、实际光化学效率（Φ_PSⅡ）、原初光化学效率（F_v/F_m）和光化学猝灭系数（q_P）值的降低,以及非光化学猝灭系数（q_N）值的升高,并且提高了psbA基因表达水平和D1蛋白的含量。以上结果显示,喷施外源5-ALA可缓解干旱胁迫下小麦幼苗的光合性能,同时诱导psbA基因表达水平提高,加快新D1蛋白的合成与受损D1蛋白的降解,从而提高小麦幼苗的干旱胁迫耐受性。     

Integrated breeding approaches for improving drought and heat adaptation in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is a dry season food legume largely grown on residual soil moisture after the rainy season. The crop often experiences moisture stress towards end of the crop season (terminal drought). The crop may also face heat stress at the reproductive stage if sowing is delayed. The breeding approaches for improving adaptation to these stresses include the development of varieties with early maturity and enhanced abiotic stress tolerance. Several varieties with improved drought tolerance have been developed by selecting for grain yield under moisture stress conditions. Similarly, selection for pod set in the crop subjected to heat stress during reproductive stage has helped in the development of heat‐tolerant varieties. A genomic region, called QTL‐hotspot, controlling several drought tolerance‐related traits has been introgressed into several popular cultivars using marker‐assisted backcrossing (MABC), and introgression lines giving significantly higher yield than the popular cultivars have been identified. Multiparent advanced generation intercross (MAGIC) approach has been found promising in enhancing genetic recombination and developing lines with enhanced tolerance to terminal drought and heat stresses.     

Independent and combined effects of high temperature and drought stress around anthesis on wheat

High temperature and drought stress are projected to reduce crop yields and threaten food security. While effects of heat and drought on crop growth and yield have been studied separately, little is known about the combined effect of these stressors. We studied detrimental effects of high temperature, drought stress and combined heat and drought stress around anthesis on yield and its components for three wheat cultivars originating from Germany and Iran. We found that effects of combined heat and drought on the studied physiological and yield traits were considerably stronger than those of the individual stress factors alone, but the magnitude of the effects varied for specific growth‐ and yield‐related traits. Single grain weight was reduced under drought stress by 13%–27% and under combined heat and drought stress by 43%–83% but not by heat stress alone. Heat stress significantly decreased grain number by 14%–28%, grain yield by 16%–25% and straw yield by 15%–25%. Cultivar responses were similar for heat but different for drought and combined heat and drought treatments. We conclude that heat stress as imposed in this study is less detrimental than the effects of those other studied stresses on growth and yield traits.     

Drought Priming at Vegetative Growth Stage Enhances Nitrogen‐Use Efficiency Under Post‐Anthesis Drought and Heat Stress in Wheat

To study the effects of early drought priming at 5th‐leaf stage on grain yield and nitrogen‐use efficiency in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under post‐anthesis drought and heat stress, wheat plants were first exposed to moderate drought stress (drought priming; that is, the leaf water potential reached ca. ?0.9 MP a) at the 5th‐leaf stage for 11 days, and leaf water relations and gas exchange rates, grain yield and yield components, and agronomic nitrogen‐use efficiency (ANUE ) of the primed and non‐primed plants under post‐anthesis drought and heat stress were investigated. Compared with the non‐primed plants, the drought‐primed plants possessed higher leaf water potential and chlorophyll content, and consequently a higher photosynthetic rate during post‐anthesis drought and heat stress. Drought priming also resulted in higher grain yield and ANUE in wheat under post‐anthesis drought and heat stress. Drought priming at vegetative stage improves carbon assimilation and ANUE under post‐anthesis drought and heat stress and their combination in wheat, which might be used as a field management tool to enhance stress tolerance of wheat crops to multiple abiotic stresses in a future drier and warmer climate.     

大气CO_2倍增条件下冬小麦气体交换对高温干旱及复水过程的响应

探究大气CO_2浓度倍增条件下冬小麦气体交换参数对高温干旱及复水过程的生理响应机制,有助于提高生态过程模型的模拟精度,更加准确地预测全球气候变化对农田生态系统初级生产力及其生态服务功能的影响。利用4个可精准控制CO_2浓度和温度的大型人工气候室,研究了CO_2浓度倍增条件下高温干旱及复水过程对冬小麦气孔特征和气体交换参数的影响。结果表明, CO_2浓度倍增(E)导致冬小麦远轴面气孔密度增加、气孔宽度减小、气孔空间分布规则程度降低,但提高叶片的净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Gs)、蒸腾速率(Tr)和水分利用效率(WUE)。高温干旱(HD)使叶片气孔长度、密度、周长和面积减小,导致叶片气体交换参数均显著下降。然而,高CO_2浓度及高温干旱(EHD)导致气体交换参数下降幅度相对较小,表明高CO_2浓度对高温干旱具有一定的缓解作用。此外,干旱复水后,不同处理条件下冬小麦叶片气体交换参数均有所升高,但高温干旱下叶片的气体交换参数仍未能恢复到对照水平,暗示光合器官可能在高温干旱时遭到损伤和破坏。     

Antioxidant and Photosynthetic Responses of Cotton to Soil Drought Stress during Flowering and Fruiting Stage

[Objective] The purpose of this study was to examine potential drought tolerance mechanisms in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Biochemical (antioxidant, protein and compatible osmolyte) and physiological (photosynthesis) responses to drought stress during the flowering and fruiting stages were examined. [Method] Using two cotton genotypes (A001 and A705) with different drought tolerance, a pot study was conducted in 2016 with treatments consisting of control (well-watered) and water stress. Water stress treatment was designed as withholding water from the pots until stomatal closure followed by limited water supply for 25 days where water-stressed plants received 40% of the optimum quantity of water. Measurements were made on soluble protein, proline and malonaldehyde (MDA) concentrations, peroxidase (POD) activity and photosynthetic characteristics (net photosynthetic rate P_n, transpiration rate E, stomatal conductance G_s) during the period of water stress. [Result] The soluble protein concentration was decreased and POD activity and MDA level were increased in the leaf subtending cotton boll of A001 under water deficit when compared with the control, but no response was observed in A705. Proline level responded to water deficit inconsistently between the two genotypes and across all sampling dates. Water stress significantly decreased P_n, E and G_s in the main stem leaves for both A001 and A705. [Conclusion] The results indicated that POD, soluble protein and MDA are involved in A001 and A705 responses to water deficit, and A705 is more tolerant to soil drought than A001.     

干旱胁迫下烤烟光合特性和氮代谢研究

以烤烟品种ＮＣ８９为材料，在盆栽条件下研究了干旱胁迫对烤烟光合特性和氮素代谢的影响。结果表明，在干旱胁迫下烤烟叶片叶绿素含量减少，叶绿体希尔反应活力下降，净光合强度减弱，硝酸还原酶活性降低，脯氨酸含量升高，而呼吸速率则先上升后下降。上述指标均随土壤水分状况的变化而变化，表现它们对干旱胁迫的反应都很敏感。     

干旱胁迫下PEPC过表达增强水稻的耐强光能力

以过表达磷酸烯醇式丙酮酸羧化酶(PEPC)的水稻为材料,研究了不同程度干旱胁迫下开花期剑叶光合作用的光响应过程、叶绿素荧光参数、色素含量和活性氧代谢。结果表明,在干旱特别是重度干旱胁迫下,野生型水稻在强光下净光合速率迅速下降,而转Zmppc基因水稻没有明显的下降现象; 而且表示光化学活性的叶绿素荧光参数F_v/F_m、Φ_PSⅡ和q_P下降程度低,说明PEPC增强了干旱胁迫下水稻抵御强光胁迫的能力。这可能是因为干旱胁迫下转Zmppc基因水稻玉米黄质含量高,光系统对过剩光能的耗散能力强,能够保护光系统免受过剩光能的伤害,从而减小O₂^?产生速率; 同时干旱胁迫下转PEPC基因水稻抗氧化酶SOD、POD和CAT活性高,能有效清除活性氧,减轻膜质过氧化。     

水分胁迫下葡萄糖对小麦幼苗光合作用和相关生理特性的影响

以15%聚乙二醇(PEG-6000)模拟水分胁迫,以不同浓度外源葡萄糖(Glc)处理小麦幼苗,探讨外源Glc对水分胁迫下小麦幼苗生长发育和光合特性的影响。结果表明,水分胁迫显著降低了小麦叶片水势和光合作用,抑制植株的生长,而水分胁迫下外源Glc处理能明显增加叶片水势和光合色素含量,并使水分胁迫和水分胁迫后复水处理条件下,小麦幼苗叶片的净光合速率(P_n)、气孔导度(G_s)胞间CO₂浓度(C_i)和叶片水分利用效率(WUE)显著升高,而使蒸腾速率(T_r)下降。同时,外源Glc处理显著提高了水分胁迫下叶片中可溶性糖和脯氨酸的积累,促进不定根和侧根的生长,植株干重比单一干旱处理提高14.32%~40.39%。由此表明,水分胁迫下外源Glc通过促进小麦根系生长和提高叶组织的渗透调节能力,改善叶片的水分状况,提高了叶片的光合功能,促进小麦幼苗的生长,降低了水分胁迫对小麦幼苗生长的抑制作用。     

紫斑牡丹(Paeonia rockii)的光合特性及对土壤干旱胁迫的响应

为研究持续干旱处理对紫斑牡丹(Paeonia rockii)光合生理特性的影响,本研究。以实生苗为材料进行盆栽控水试验,设置对照(compared,CK)、轻度胁迫(light stress,LD)、中度胁迫(moderate stress,MD)、重度胁迫(Severe stress,SD)4个水分处理,研究随着干旱胁迫的加剧,叶片水分生理以及光合生理参数的变化。结果表明:在CK、LD、MD水分梯度下,紫斑牡丹生长正常,但在SD胁迫下受影响明显,植株叶片变黄且萎蔫;各胁迫阶段叶厚、叶水势下降明显,相对含水量(relative water content,RWC)降低幅度小,差异不明显,饱和水分亏(water saturation deficit,WSD)有在MD胁迫下有所升高;干旱胁迫抑制了光合色素合成,叶绿素a(Chlorophyll a,Chla)、叶绿素b(Chlorophyll b,Chlb)、叶绿素总含量(total chlorophyll content,Chla+b)、类胡萝卜素(Carotenoids,Car)显著依次下降,叶绿素比值(Chlorophyll ratio,Chla/b)则相反;干旱胁迫导致叶片净光合速率(net photosynthetic rate,Pn)、气孔导度(Stomatal conductance,Gs)以及蒸腾速率(transpiration rate,Tr)呈现下降趋势,但胞间二氧化碳浓度(intercellular carbon dioxide concentration,Ci)则表现为上升后下降,其中水分利用效率(water use efficiency,WUE)在逐渐上升。在轻度和中度干旱的紫斑牡丹表现出一定的适应性和耐旱能力,而长期重度干旱则对紫斑牡丹影响较为严重,在重度干旱地区栽植需考虑水分供给。本研究为干旱地区和城市的园林绿化植物的选择提供理论支持。     

超高产夏直播花生生育动态及生理特性研究

在大田条件下,研究麦田夏直播地膜覆盖花生7 500kg/hm2产量水平下植株的生育动态及生理特性。结果表明,夏直播花生营养生长出现在结荚期之前,植株的主茎、侧枝、叶龄和分枝数的净增长速率均在出苗后30～40d达到高峰,出苗后70～80d基本不再增加。叶面积指数、光合势、叶绿素含量及干物质积累量均在结荚中期(出苗后60～70d)达到高峰;叶片SOD、POD和CAT 3种抗衰老酶活性及可溶性蛋白含量的变化基本一致,均呈现先升高后降低的单峰变化趋势,高峰期出现在结荚中期。MDA含量在整个生育期呈逐渐上升的趋势,从结荚中期开始上升速度明显加快。根据试验结果,提出了夏直播花生7 500kg/hm2的生育指标。     

外源葡萄糖增强高表达转玉米C4型pepc水稻耐旱性的生理机制

为揭示葡萄糖参与植物耐旱性的内在机制,以高表达转玉米C4型磷酸烯醇式丙酮酸羧化酶 (phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase,PEPC) 基因(C4-pepc)水稻(PC)和受体“Kitaake”(WT)为材料,通过盆栽和水培试验,研究外施葡萄糖联合干旱处理下,功能叶片的光合参数、总可溶性糖及其组分、Ca²⁺、NO含量、己糖激酶活性、B类钙调磷酸酶(calcineurin B-like, CBL)与蔗糖非发酵1 (sucrose nonfermenting-1, SNF1)相关蛋白激酶(SNF1-related protein kinase 3s, SnRK3s)基因表达的变化。结果表明,在盆栽试验中,分蘖期外施3%葡萄糖联合干旱处理对水稻的产量及其构成因子影响不显著,而在孕穗期处理,PC的株高、穗数、每穗实粒重和单株产量均显著高于WT。在水培试验中,外施1%葡萄糖和12% (m/v)聚乙二醇6000 (polyethylene glycol-6000, PEG-6000)模拟干旱处理,均显著提高了PC功能叶片的净光合速率(P_n)、气孔导度(Gs)和羧化效率(CE),叶片内蔗糖和果糖的含量也均显著高于WT。值得关注的是,PC叶片己糖激酶(hexokinase, HXK)活性、CBL1/SnRK3.1/SnRK3.4/ SnRK3.21基因的相对表达量在外施1%葡萄糖联合12% PEG模拟干旱处理下均显著低于12%PEG处理,而NO含量则显著上升。相关性分析也表明,PC中Pn、胞间CO2浓度(Ci)和Gs分别与葡萄糖含量、HXK活性和SnRK3.16基因表达显著相关。外施葡萄糖处理可上调PC糖水平,下调其CBL和SnRK3s基因表达,诱导NO参与叶片气孔调节,从而增强保水能力,保持光合能力稳定,最终表现为耐旱。     

干旱胁迫下半干旱雨养区春小麦光响应曲线的拟合

为揭示半干旱雨养区干旱胁迫对春小麦光响应模型的适应性,通过对4种光响应曲线模型的分析比较,探讨干旱胁迫对春小麦光响应模型的适用性。结果表明：持续干旱胁迫明显降低春小麦叶片的净光合速率,而生育后期的复水使得T₁、T₂处理出现了超补偿效应。各模型下的光响应参数拟合结果显示,最大净光合速率在指数模型的模拟效果最好,光补偿点在直角双曲线修正模型中拟合效果最好,暗呼吸速率在指数模型的拟合效果最好。4种模型中直角双曲线修正模型模拟效果最好。综上所述,干旱胁迫明显降低春小麦叶片的光合能力,降低小麦叶肉细胞的光合活性,而胁迫后期的复水使得T₁、T₂处理小麦叶片的光合能力得以恢复,出现了超补偿效应。     

水分胁迫对花生不同器官非结构性碳水化合物含量的影响

为探讨不同生育时期水分胁迫对花生不同器官非结构性碳水化合物(NSC)“库—源—流”间的变化动态,以‘花育20号’和‘花育27号’花生品种为试材,采用控制条件下的防雨棚池栽方法,研究了花生生长发育过程中不同生育时期水分胁迫下,非结构性碳水化合物(NSC)在花生叶片、茎、根和荚果等器官中的动态变化。结果表明,全生育期干旱胁迫使花生叶片、茎和根中可溶性总糖含量和淀粉均明显升高,但荚果中可溶性糖含量却明显降低。无论何生育时期受到干旱胁迫均使得叶片中可溶性糖含量峰值提前15天左右出现,“源”物质输出提前但输出量降低,叶片提前衰老。生育前期干旱胁迫使滞留在荚果中的NSC含量增加,结荚期后干旱胁迫反而利于荚果中NSC的转化。全生育期水分适宜处理叶片中NSC含量相对较低且变化较小。由此表明,干旱胁迫降低了NSC由源至库的运输和转化,使荚果“库”容量降低。     

Spatial difference of drought effect on photosynthesis of leaf subtending to cotton boll and its relationship with boll biomass

The leaf subtending to a cotton boll (LSCB) is vital to boll development and biomass, but few studies have examined the effects of drought on the source capacity of LSCBs on different fruiting branches (FBs). To investigate the response of LSCB photosynthesis on different FBs and the relationship of boll biomass to drought, a drought experiment was performed with three treatments: well‐watered (WW, soil water relative content [SRWC] 75 ± 5%), mild drought (MD, SRWC 60 ± 5%), and severe drought (SD, SRWC 45 ± 5%). Despite photosynthetic active radiation increasing under drought conditions, the pre‐dawn leaf water potential, net photosynthesis rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs), transpiration rate (Tr), and maximum quantum yield in PSII (Fv/Fm) under MD and SD significantly decreased when compared with WW, with a more pronounced decrease observed on upper FBs. Additionally, the maximum sucrose and hexose levels in LSCBs increased under drought conditions, whereas the maximum starch content decreased on FB_10–11, but showed a varied trend on FB_2–3 and FB_6–7. Although carbohydrate levels in the LSCBs increased, biomass per cotton boll decreased. More importantly, the ratio of cotton boll biomass was significantly correlated to the maximum sucrose content ratio on each FB, indicating that sucrose allocation was important to cotton boll biomass. Cotton boll biomass notably decreased on upper FBs, but was maintained on lower FBs, indicating that drought promoted carbon allocation in older bolls. Thus, LSCBs and cotton bolls on upper FBs were more affected under drought conditions due to decreased photosynthesis and carbohydrate allocation.     

Recovery from Drought Stress at the Shooting Stage in Oilseed Rape (Brassica napus)

Periods of drought frequently affect the development of winter rape at the shooting stage in spring. A growth chamber study was conducted to determine the effects of 13 days of strong water deficit at the shooting stage followed by rewatering on oilseed rape (Brassica napus). The osmolality and the efficiency of photosystem II in leaves were measured by means of a vapour pressure osmometer and a chlorophyll fluorometer, respectively. The activities of sucrose cleaving enzymes in leaves were determined through invertase as well as sucrose synthase tests. A higher osmotic pressure was observed 2 days after water deprivation. Extracellular and vacuolar invertases as well as chlorophyll fluorescence were decreased with delay. Rewatering led to a gradual decrease in the osmotic pressure and a delayed increase in the enzyme activities as well as the photosynthetic efficiency. A linear regression model could predict osmolality in well‐watered plants based on the extracellular enzyme activity and growth stage. The ontogenetic and stress‐related pattern of extracellular invertase activity could indicate a role of this enzyme in balancing source‐sink relations. The onset of flowering was not influenced by drought, but the period of this stage was prolonged. Though, the ontogenetic stages of stressed and unstressed plants were the same at the time of harvest, the development of seed biomass was significantly depressed under stress.