Drought-resistance of Alysicarpus vaginalis Germplasms Evaluated by Subordinate Function Values

Eight Alysicarpus vaginalis germplasms exhibiting varied degrees of resistance to drought stress under natural conditions were collected from southern China for the study. Six indices, including the contents of moisture, chlorophyll, free proline, water soluble carbohydrates, and malondialdehyde, as well as the relative electric conductivity of the plant leaves, were used for a comprehensive evaluation on the drought-resistance of the germplasms based on their subordinate function values (SFVs). At the same time, the reliability of each index was determined by the ratio of individual average tototal SFV. The results ranked the abilitiesof the germplasms to resist drought stress in the order of: Changjiang Round > Zhanjiang Round > Haikou Pointed > Danzhou Pointed > Danzhou High > Danzhou Round > Haikou Round > Changjiang High. The reliabilities of the measurements on relative moisture content and electric conductivity were higher than those of the other indices used in the evaluation.