Response to Water Stress in Vicia sp.: Integrated Assessment of Phenological, Physiological, and Agronomic Parameters and Tolerance Indices

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of water stress on specific phenological, physiological, and agronomic characteristics, as well as the tolerances of fourteen forage ecotypes belonging to the genus Vicia sp., which include two different species, namely, Narbon vetch (Vicia narbonensis) and common vetch (Vicia sativa L.), under greenhouse conditions where water stress is applied. The results revealed that water stress induced phenological modifications, such as delays in the vegetative cycle (flowering, pod formation, and full maturity), as well as physiological changes, including reductions in the relative water content and total chlorophyll rate, the accumulation of proline and soluble sugars, and a decrease in yield. These results reveal a diversity of responses among the evaluated varieties, indicating the presence of variability among the ecotypes of both species.