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

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between yield reduction by CSI, MSI, and RWC. The field experiment was conducted at the National Research Center for Banana to screen the banana cultivars and hybrids for water deficit tolerance and to elucidate information on the growth attribute 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 percent with a soil water potential of -14 bars. In stressed plots, 50 percent of 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 results revealed that the cultivars of Karpuravalli, Karpuravalli×Pisang Jajee, Saba, and Sannachenkathali recorded significantly higher yields (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 significant relative water content, chlorophyll stability index, and membrane stability index with lesser reduction percent showed than the cultivars and hybrids of Matti, Pisang Jajee×Matti, Matti×Anaikomban, and Anaikomban×Pisang Jajee.