Water stress also increased fiber and pigment concentration in
roots (Fig. 7 and Table 7, respectively). NDF and ADF increased significantly
in W50 (20.7% and 16.8%) and W30 (20.5% and 16.9%)
compared to control plants (15.6% and 11.5%). Betacyanin and
betaxanthin concentration of the unstressed plants (W100) was
28.08 and 33.96 mg 100 g FW−1, respectively. When the plants were
subjected to drought stress, the betacyanin content was increased
by 52% and 47% and betaxanthin by 70% and 69% in W50 and
W30, respectively. Nevertheless, the BC/BX ratio seemed to be unaffected.