Abstract
This study examined the relationship between the yield reduction by chlorophyll stability index (CSI), membrane stability index (MSI) and relative water content (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 attributes mechanism of banana cultivars and hybrids. Water stress was imposed at different critical growth stages viz., 3rd, 5th, 7th and 9th month after planting. The stress was given by scheduling irrigation at the 50% available soil moisture (ASM) 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 about -6 bars. In stressed plots, the irrigation was given at 50% ASM with the soil water potential of -14 bars. In stressed plots, 50% ASM was reached around 30 days. The present study was 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 x Pisang Jajee, Saba and Sannachenkathali recorded significantly higher yield (67.3, 52.4, 55.8 and 41.3 t ha-1) and the magnitude of yield was decreased by 12% than the cultivars and hybrids of Matti, Pisang Jajee x Matti, Matti x Anaikomban and Anaikomban x Pisang Jajee (14.9, 11.1, 10.3 and 10.6 t/ha). Similarly, Karpuravalli, Karpuravalli x Pisang Jajee, Saba and Sannachenkathali recorded significantly high relative water content, chlorophyll stability index and membrane stability index with lesser reduction percent were shown than the cultivars and hybrids of Matti, Pisang Jajee x Matti, Matti x Anaikomban and Anaikomban x Pisang Jajee. Key words: Water deficit, relative water content (RWC), chlorophyll stability index (CSI), membrane stability index (MSI), yield, banana.
Highlights
Water stress is a major problem in banana growth and development
Water potential can be measured by the exuding latex that appeared to be the viable for determining leaf water status, even though only a small change in plants were experienced under soil water deficit supported by the hydrated status of banana leaves under dry condition
Among the sub-plot treatment, S1 was found to be effective in maintaining higher relative water content (RWC) value (83.8%), which was followed by S2 (83.1%) and S3 (80.2%) and least was recorded by S12 (63.7%)
Summary
Water stress is a major problem in banana growth and development. It is the leading tropical fruit in the world market with a highly organized and developed industry. Drought is an insidious hazard of nature It has scores of definitions, it originates from a deficiency of precipitation over an extended period of time, usually a season or more. Turner and Thomas (1998) reported that, the banana is sensitive to soil water deficits, expanding tissues in emerging leaves and growing fruits are among the first to be affected. Water potential can be measured by the exuding latex that appeared to be the viable for determining leaf water status, even though only a small change in plants were experienced under soil water deficit supported by the hydrated status of banana leaves under dry condition. Understanding banana plant response to soil moisture deficit and expression of physiological, biochemical traits are of basic scientific interest and have potential application in bananas (Musa spp.) for higher productivity. With a view to elucidate information on these aspects, field and laboratory investigations were undertaken
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