Evaluation of drought response of two Romanian cultivars of Camelina sativa

Camelina sativa is being re-evaluated as an oilseed crop for low-input agricultural systems. To assess its adaptation to Romanian conditions, we characterized the water-deficit response of two Romanian cultivars, Mădălina and Camelia, from germination to seed production. Germination under osmotic stress was assessed in the laboratory at 10, 15 and 20% polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000). In the greenhouse, water deficit was imposed from full flowering by lowering soil moisture to 30% and then to 20% of pot water-holding capacity, compared with 80–90% in the controls. Leaf relative water content (RWC), chlorophyll index (SPAD), seed yield per plant, seed oil content and fatty acid composition were measured, and all greenhouse data were analyzed with the pot as the experimental unit. Both cultivars tolerated moderate osmotic stress, with 94–100% germination up to 15% PEG, but showed a clear threshold at 20% PEG, where final germination fell to 22% (Mădălina) and 36% (Camelia), hypocotyl growth was completely inhibited and radicle growth was strongly reduced. From flowering onward, water deficit reduced RWC by 37–43% and SPAD by 28–47% in both cultivars, with no significant genotype × water-regime interaction, and by the third week of stress leaf senescence was visibly more advanced in Camelia. Seed yield per plant decreased by 10–16%, but not significantly, whereas oil content declined significantly (−15% in Mădălina and −8% in Camelia). As a result, oil yield per plant fell by 22–23% in both cultivars. The main fatty acids, including α-linolenic acid, did not change significantly, whereas stearic acid increased and eicosatrienoic acid (20:3) decreased in both cultivars. The two cultivars differed in aspects of their response across developmental stages, which warrants evaluation under field conditions. The results suggest that oil yield per plant, and not oil concentration alone, should be considered when evaluating camelina cultivars for regions with seasonal water deficit.