Enhancement of Drought-Induced Senescence by the Reproductive Sink in Fertile Lines of Wheat and Sorghum

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Abstract
The leaf senescence pattern was examined in water-stressed male sterile and fertile lines of wheat (Triticum aestivum) and sorghum (Sorghum vulgare). The study was conducted at the seedling stage and during grain development. The loss of leaf area and chlorophyll content induced by water stress was similar in the male sterile and fertile lines of wheat at the seedling stage. At the grain filling stage, leaf senescence occurred at a faster rate in the fertile lines as compared to sterile lines of both wheat and sorghum. The study indicates that a reproductive sink accentuates drought-induced leaf senescence.