Studies on the Impact of Water Deficit on Plant Height, Relative Water Content, Total Chlorophyll, Osmotic Potential and Yield of Banana (Musa spp.,) Cultivars and Hybrids

Abstract

Experiments were undertaken to screen the banana cultivars and hybrids for water stress tolerance and to elucidate information on the morphological, physiological, and yield characteristics mechanism of banana cultivars and hybrids. Stress was imposed at different critical stages viz., 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 9th months after planting. The stress was given by scheduling irrigation at the 50 percent 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 a soil water potential of around -6 bars, and in the case of stressed plots; the irrigation was given when an ASM reached 50% with a soil water potential of -14 bars. In stressed plots, 50% ASM was reached around 30 days. This present study was conducted with twelve cultivars and hybrids with three replications. The data were analyzed by using a split-plot design. The morphological characteristics of plant height were significantly enhanced by the control when compared to stress-treated plants and physiological characteristics like RWC, total chlorophyll content and osmotic potential can be considered good indicators of leaf water status in bananas and can therefore be used for irrigation scheduling. Among the twelve cultivars and hybrids, Karpuravalli, Karpuravalli×Pisang Jajee, Saba, and Sannachenkathali were identified as tolerant to water stress and showed a lesser reduction in the range of 3 to 14 percent in morphological characters and 8%~10% over control in physiological characters leads to maintained its superiority over control and get higher bunch yield; whereas, Matti, Pisang Jajee×Matti, Matti×Anaikomban, and Anaikomban×Pisang Jajee were notified as sensitive cultivars and hybrids with a mean reduction of 22% in morphological and physiological characters than control due to irrigation at 50 ASM.