Varietal Changes in Morphological Traits in Potato Cultivars Subjected to Water Stress.

Abstract

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) with small fibrous root system is very sensitive to water stress. In present study, we analysed morphological traits (shoot height, root depth and leaf area) of four potato cultivars which were given water stress treatments at different growth stages. The shoot height was reduced significantly due to water stress and maximum reduction was found when stress given at tuber initiation stage. Among cultivars Kufri Pukhraj showed least reduction (about 30%) in shoot height whereas Kufri Lauvkar showed highest reduction (about 40%) in shoot height at tuber initiation stage. Root depth was reduced significantly by water stress treatments and highest impact was found due to water stress at tuber maturitystage. Leaf area was decreased due to adverse effect of water stress at all growth stages in all the cultivars. Reduction in leaf area was higher when plants were given stress at tuber initiation (T2). Among the studied cultivars, Kufri Pukhraj maintained highest leaf area at this stage.