Effects of Water Stress on Leaf Photosynthesis and Yield of Melon and Tomato Crops Grown under Mediterranean Conditions of the Northeast of Morocco

Abstract

Drought is the most important limiting factor affecting plant yield and photosynthesis and has impacts on reducing yields. The objective of this work is to study the impacts of drought regimes of irrigation on Chlorophyll a fluorescence, stress status and yield of melon and tomato crops. Experiments were conducted under the Mediterranean climate conditions. Two cultivars of each crop and three irrigation strategies (100%, 75% and 50%) were used. Many physiological stress indices based on chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters were measured. Results showed a change in crop light phase of photosynthesis and a decrease in yields according to treatments and cultivars.

Keywords

• chlorophyll a fluorescence
• drought
• irrigation