This study aims to evaluate the expression of genes implicated in
three Jatropha curcas ecotypes mechanisms of protection against
drought in Burkina Faso. Three drought component factors
(sunlight intensity, water deficit, and sunlight associated with
water deficit) and three genes including APX1 (cytosolic
ascorbate peroxidase), JcHSP1 and JcHSP2 (heat shock proteins)
were considered. Plants were grown until 33 days after sowing in
a mesh shelter with the translucent plastic roof (at 122 µmol
photons.m-2.s-1) and receiving 1 liter of tap water every three
days underwent three separate treatments for 20 days: direct
sunlight at 572 µmol photons.m-2.s-1, watering suspension, and a
treatment was combined the two previous ones. Gene expression
at the leaf level was sought by reverse transcription and
visualized by electrophoresis on the agarose gel. The results
showed a conditioned overexpression of genes. APX1 was
associated with water stress and ecotype. JcHSP1 and JcHSP2
were related to all environmental factors, while JcHSP2 was also associated with ecotype. We have also shown a predominance of the water stress effect on gene expression. Our results suggest that APX1, JcHSP1 and JcHSP2 genes are involved in the adaptive molecular response of J. curcas ecotypes to drought and could be
“positive” molecular markers for water stress.

Jatropha curcas, Ecotype, Sunlight, Water deficit, RT-PCR