DROUGHT STRESS EFFECT ON SOME BIOCHEMICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS; ACCUMULATION OF TOTAL POLYPHENOLS AND FLAVONOIDS IN LEAVES OF TWO PROVENANCE SEEDLING PISTACIA LENTISCUS

In Mediterranean climate which characterized by warm, dry summers, cool and wet winters, drought stress affects growth and survival of species. Study of the impact of drought on some biochemical features would contribute to understand strategies of Pistacia lentiscus to cope with Mediterranean field conditions. Seedlings of P. lentiscus were subjected to summer drought in greenhouse by without watering. Seeds of plants growing in the Azazga region (North Slope of Kabylie) and Bouira one (southern slopes of Kabylie) were used to obtain seedling. Relative water contents, proline (osmotic solute), pigments, lipid peroxidation, total polyphenols, total flavonoids are investigated.Drought induced a slight but significant decrease in relative water content and an increase in the proline level indicating the maintenance of osmotic balance. Total polyphenols and total flavonoids were not influenced by the drought