Effect of Water Stress in Phenotypical, Morphological and Physiological Properties of Canola (Brassica Napus L.) Seedlings

Climate change poses significant challenges for the rainfall patterns at the global and regional scales which affect the production of canola (Brassica napus L.) plants. This research was designed to investigate and quantify the impact of water stress during the seedling stage on the morphology and physiology of two varieties of Pioneer hybrid canola (Y84 and Pr73) under a controlled environment chamber. Two-month-old canola seedlings were arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and treated with two-water regimes: 25–30% (normal watering) and 5–10% (severe water stress). Growth parameters and carbon assimilation were recorded during the experiment. The results showed that severe water stress decreased vegetative plant growth, leaf area surface, relative water content, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, net photosynthesis, instantaneous water use efficiency and maximum efficiency of photosystem II. The higher water stress tolerance, found for the variety Y84, was associated with maintenance of the maximum photosynthesis at the seedling stage.