Physiological and anatomical changes in two rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) genotypes under drought stress conditions

Understanding the mechanisms of drought resistance in crop species is crucial for the selection and breeding of tolerant rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) varieties. The present study aimed to assess the physiological and anatomical responses of two rapeseed genotypes, P287 (drought-tolerant) and T88 (drought-sensitive) under three intensities of drought stress. All physiological and anatomical parameters related to drought acclimation were significantly altered in both genotypes under stress conditions. At the fourth-leaf stage, the relative water content, chlorophyll content, protein content, malondialdehyde content, and the activities of peroxidase and catalase in P287 were significantly higher than those in T88, particularly under severe drought conditions. After rehydration, all physiological indexes recovered rapidly, especially in P287. In addition, under drought stress, compared with T88, P287 had thicker palisade tissue, thinner spongy tissue, higher ratio of chloroplast length to chloroplast width, higher stomatal density and stomatal closure rate. Overall, the interaction between physiological and anatomical features improved the drought tolerance of P287 under drought stress conditions.