International Journal of Horticulture, 2024, Vol.14, No.6, 368-380 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/ijh 373 Figure 2 Physiological responses of diploid and tetraploid explants of ‘Sabz’ and ‘Torsh’ fig cultivars, 14 days after subjecting to different water stress treatments (Adopted from Abdolinejad and Shekafandeh, 2022) Image caption: (A) Relative water content, (B) ion leakage, (C) total chlorophyll content, (D) total carotenoid content, (E) lignin, (F) hydrogen peroxide, and (G) malondialdehyde. Means represent the ploidy level and PEG treatment effects tested by two-way ANOVA. Each value represents the means ± SE. Different letters indicate significant differences at P< 0.05 using the LSD test. The results showed that with increasing PEG concentrations, tetraploid explants exhibited stronger tolerance across various indicators, such as higher RWC, lower ion leakage, and oxidative stress markers (H₂O₂and MDA). These data suggest that tetraploid explants have greater antioxidant capacity and cell membrane stability, enabling them to better maintain physiological balance under high-intensity drought stress, confirming the significant physiological advantages of tetraploids under water stress conditions (Adapted from Abdolinejad and Shekafandeh, 2022) 4.3 Adaptation to nutrient-poor soils In nutrient-poor soils, Ficus carica employs several strategies to enhance nutrient uptake and utilization. One significant adaptation is the symbiotic association with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). These fungi enhance the fig tree's ability to absorb water and essential nutrients, such as phosphorus, potassium, and calcium, from the soil. This symbiotic relationship not only improves nutrient acquisition but also boosts the plant's drought tolerance by enhancing its physiological and biochemical responses to water stress (Boutasknit et al., 2020; Madouh and Quoreshi, 2023). The increased levels of osmolytes and antioxidant enzymes in tetraploid fig genotypes under drought conditions also suggest a robust biochemical adaptation that helps in mitigating the adverse effects of nutrient deficiency and water stress (Abdolinejad and Shekafandeh, 2022). 4.4 Interaction with other species in arid environments Ficus carica interacts with various species in arid environments, which can influence its adaptability and survival. The presence of AMF, for example, plays a crucial role in mediating drought tolerance and recovery in fig trees
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