A preliminary study was conducted to determine the effects of water stress on four fig cultivars (Ficus
carica L., ‘Deyme Ahvaz’ (Deym), ‘Sabz Estahban’ (Sabz), ‘Siah’ and ‘Shahanjir’ (Shah)) plants, using reliable
and easy to use methodology. Potted plants, growing under greenhouse conditions were subjected to
drought by withholding irrigation for 14 days. Stressed plants were reirrigated and the recovery was
studied for 7 days. Control plants were irrigated daily maintaining soil water content at about field
capacity. Stem water potential, relative water content, leaf mass area, chlorophyll stability index, drought
injury index, and rapid test for drought tolerance were measured in fully expanded young leaves. On the
basis of above indices, these cultivars were screened and categorized as tolerant and susceptible. The
results suggest that Deym and Sabz are more drought tolerant than Siah and Shah. We concluded that
although these indices will be useful to rapidly screen for drought tolerance, however for an efficient
screening program they are not sufficient.