Abstract
Understanding stress responses of endangered plants is vital for their conservation under climate change. We examined the effects of iso-osmotic drought (PEG) and salinity (NaCl) on the growth and physiology of three populations of the critically endangered legume Onobrychis conferta subsp. conferta (OC1, OC2, OC3) endemic to North-Western Tunisia. Both stresses reduced photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, intercellular CO(2), and carboxylation efficiency, while increasing intrinsic water-use efficiency. PSII photoinhibition (F(v)/F(m) decline) occurred after 6 d. Prolonged stress suppressed growth and water content, particularly under salinity, but enhanced root elongation and root-to-shoot ratios in OC1 and OC2. OC3, from dry grasslands, showed higher water retention, photosynthetic efficiency, and adaptive morphology than OC1 (Pinus forest) and OC2 (watercourse edge), highlighting ecotype-dependent tolerance. OC1 exhibited increased root allocation under salinity, exhibiting a salt-avoidance strategy. Identifying resilient ecotypes is crucial for conservation, restoration, and adaptation of O. conferta to increasing drought and salinity.