Effect of Water Deficit on Relationship between Yield and Physiological Attributes of Banana Cultivars and Hybrids

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between the yield reduction by CSI, MSI and RWC. The field experiment was conducted at national research centre for banana to screen the banana cultivars and hybrids for water deficit tolerance and to elucidate information on growth attribute mechanism of banana cultivars and hybrids. Stress was imposed at different critical stages viz., 3 rd , 5 th , 7 th and 9 th month after planting. The stress was given by scheduling irrigation at the 50 per cent available soil moisture (ASM) characteristic during critical stages. The soil moisture content was analyzed by using pressure plate membrane apparatus. In control plots, the irrigation was given at the ASM of 80% with the soil water potential of around -6 bars and in the case of stressed plots; the irrigation was given when an ASM reached 50 per cent with the soil water potential of -14 bars. In stressed plots, 50 per cent ASM was reached around 30 days. In this present study conducted with twelve cultivars and hybrids with three replications. The data were analyzed by using split plot design. The results revealed that the cultivars of Karpuravalli, Karpuravalli×Pisang Jajee, Saba, and Sannachenkathali recorded significantly higher yield (67.3 t/ha, 52.4 t/ha, 55.8 t/ha and 41.3 t/ha) and the magnitude of yield decrease was 12% than the cultivars and hybrids of Matti, Pisang Jajee×Matti, Matti×Anaikomban and Anaikomban×Pisang Jajee (14.9 t/ha, 11.1 t/ha, 10.3 t/ha and 10.6 t/ha). Similarly, Karpuravalli, Karpuravalli×Pisang Jajee, Saba, and Sannachenkathali recorded significantly relative water content, chlorophyll stability index and membrane stability index with lesser reduction percent were showed than the cultivars and hybrids of Matti, Pisang Jajee×Matti, Matti×Anaikomban and Anaikomban×Pisang Jajee.