Expression Analysis of Candidate Genes in Common Ve tch ( Vicia sativa L . ) Under Drought Stress

Abstract

Vicia sativa L. , an annual winter growing leguminous plant, is a v aluable source of protein and minerals for cattle. Drought is one of the key stre ss factors that influence plant growth and development. In order to investiga te common vetch physiological and molecular responses under Normal irrigation (N) and two levels of drought stress [S 1 = 30% and S 2 = 10% Field Capacity (FC)], a greenhouse experiment was carried out on two genotypes, namely, Mahalimaraghe and 41, and some physiological traits [e.g. Relative Water Content (RWC), Electro Leakage (EL), total pro tein, chlorophyll (a, b), and carotenoid content] were measured and expression pa tterns of three genes (sod, aq1 and bzip) were evaluated by real-time quantitative RT-P CR analysis. Results showed that expression pattern of all three genes and physiolog ical responses had significantly changed in response to the stress . The highest increase in the expression of each of the three genes was observed in Mahalimaraghe genotype in S 1 condition compared to N. In contrast, under S 2 condition compared to N, the highest increase in e xpression of the three genes was observed in genotype 41. In comparison of S 2 with S 1 , the highest changes in expression of all the three genes was observed in M ahalimaraghe genotype. All together , the obtained results may facilitate the understandi ng of molecular mechanism of V. sativa in response to drought stress, and also provide the basis of effective genetic engineering strategies for improving stress tolerance of V. sativa . Keywords: Dought tolerance, Expression pattern, Gene Expression, Molecular response, Osmotic Adjustment.