In the experimental phase, predawn leaf water potential (ψ) was evaluated with a pressure chamber model 3005 (Soilmoisture Equipment Corp., Santa Barbara CA, USA). The leaf relative water content (RWC) was calculated using fresh (FW), turgid (TW) and dry (DW) weight of leaf discs according to Weatherley (1950): RWC=100×[(FW−DW)/(TW−DW)]. Both variables were measured on the fifth day of the water deficit cycle and at the third day of recovery.