Water stress and gibberellic acid effects on growth of fenugreek plants

Fenugreek plant is susceptible to water stress during the vegetative growth stages, since a soil matric potential lower than –0.3 MPa causes substantial reduction in growth parameters such as height, weight and total leaf area. Gibberellic acid (GA₃) application to the seeds before sowing caused slight changes in growth parameters as well as some physiological and biochemical aspects under water deficit conditions.Water stress decreased the area of leaves by reducing the number and volume of cells. Leaf growth was improved by GA₃ treatment by promoting the growth processes slightly. Photosynthetic pigments (Chlorophyll a and b, and carotenoids) in the leaves diminished and the concentrations of the main cations (Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺) were disturbed by a decreasing soil matric potential. Monosaccharides accumulated markedly under water stress, and GA₃ may have further stimulated such accumulation. A substantial reduction in total soluble nitrogen was accompanied by a marked increase in protein-N. The possible physiological and biochemical roles of such alterations in the chemical constituents are discussed. Received: 20 March 1998