In spring 2022, UNIBO set up a semi-controlled environment trial to test the response to the drought of the four Focus Lines selected from the UNTWIST core collection. UNT4, UNT18, UNT21, and UNT46 were sown in lysimeters located at the experimental farm of the University of Bologna, Italy. Each lysimeter contained 1 m3 of soil and was equipped with sensors measuring soil water content, which was taken into consideration when watering took place. At the beginning of camelina flowering, severe drought stress was imposed until the full maturity of plants. Chlorophyll content, chlorophyll fluorescence, the relative water content of leaves, and photosynthesis were assessed during the camelina growing cycle to determine how the different lines were responding to water limitation. Additionally, fresh leaf and silique material has been sampled, flash-frozen in dry ice, and then send to the other UNTWIST partners for metabolomic and anti-oxidant analyses. All these data confirmed the different response behavior of the four focus lines under drought stress.
Foto credit UNIBO_ by D. Federica Zanetti
