*2.4. Leaf Relative Water Content (RWC) Determination*

Leaf RWC was measured following the method of Barrs and Weatherley [43]. Fresh leaves were collected, weighed instantly by a standardized weighing balance, and then dipped into water in separate Petri-dishes for 12 h. The turgid weight was calculated by weighing the wet leaves. Afterwards, the leaf samples were oven-dried at 80 ◦C for 48 h, and the dry weight was recorded. The RWC was calculated using the following formula:

RWC (%) = [(Fresh weight − Dry weight)/(Turgid weight − Dry weight)] × 100.
