Data_Sheet_1_Combined Drought and Heat Stress Influences the Root Water Relation and Determine the Dry Root Rot Disease Development Under Field Conditions: A Study Using Contrasting Chickpea Genotypes.zip

Abiotic stressors such as drought and heat predispose chickpea plants to pathogens of key importance leading to significant crop loss under field conditions. In this study, we have investigated the influence of drought and high temperature on the incidence and severity of dry root rot disease (caused by Macrophomina phaseolina) in chickpea, under extensive on- and off-season field trials and greenhouse conditions. We explored the association between drought tolerance and dry root rot resistance in two chickpea genotypes, ICC 4958 and JG 62, with contrasting resistance to dry root rot. In addition, we extensively analyzed various patho-morphological and root architecture traits altered by combined stresses under field and greenhouse conditions in these genotypes. We further observed the role of edaphic factors in dry root rot incidence under field conditions. Altogether, our results suggest a strong negative correlation between the plant water relations and dry root rot severity in chickpeas, indicating an association between drought tolerance and dry root rot resistance. Additionally, the significant role of heat stress in altering the dynamics of dry root rot and the importance of combinatorial screening of chickpea germplasm for dry root rot resistance, drought, and heat stress have been revealed.

非生物胁迫因素，如干旱和高温，使鹰嘴豆植物易受关键病原体的侵害，导致在田间条件下造成显著的作物损失。在本研究中，我们探讨了干旱和高温对鹰嘴豆干根腐病（由Macrophomina phaseolina引起）的发生率和严重性的影响，研究范围包括广泛的田间和休闲季节试验以及温室条件。我们研究了两种具有不同干根腐病抵抗力的鹰嘴豆基因型ICC 4958和JG 62之间的耐旱性与干根腐病抗性之间的关系。此外，我们还对这些基因型在田间和温室条件下受联合胁迫影响的多种病理形态学和根构型性状进行了广泛的分析。进一步观察了土壤因素在田间条件下干根腐病发生率中的作用。总体而言，我们的研究结果表明，植物水分关系与鹰嘴豆干根腐病严重性之间存在着强烈的负相关关系，暗示了耐旱性与干根腐病抗性之间的关联。此外，我们还揭示了热胁迫在改变干根腐病动态中的显著作用，以及组合筛选鹰嘴豆种质资源以增强干根腐病抗性、耐旱性和耐热性的重要性。