EFFECT OF MOISTURE STRESS ON ANTI-OXIDANT ENZYME ACTIVITY, GROWTH AND YIELD OF SUGARCANE (Saccharum officinarum L.)
Loading...
Files
Date
2014
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ACHARYA N.G. RANGA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, RAJENDRANAGAR, HYDERABAD
Abstract
Field and poly bag experiments were conducted at Agricultural Research Station,
Basantapur, Medak District during 2013-14 to study the influence of water stress during
formative phase (60 to 150 days) on various morpho-physiological, root and biochemical
caharacters, yield attributes, sucrose content, cane and sugar yields in eight sugarcane genotypes.
The field experiment was laid out in strip plot design with two moisture treatments in main plots
and eight genotypes in sub plots in three replications. In the poly bag experiment, eight varieties
of Sugarcane were screened in randomized block design for their root characteristics up to
formative stage and bio-chemical activity during moisture stress at formative stage.
The morphological and physiological parameters studied in terms tiller population, plant
height, relative water content, photosynthetic rate, SPAD and photochemical efficiency were
significantly reduced with imposed moisture stress in all genotypes compared to non stress
conditions. The reduction in the above parameters was in the range of 18 to 27.9 per cent
irrespective of the varieties. The yield attributes studied in terms of number of millable canes,
cane girth and single cane weight registered a reduction up to 19 to 20 per cent due to moisture
stress. Moisture stress at formative stage also reduced the cane yield and quality in terms of
sucrose per cent and commercial cane sugar yield up to 18 to 22 per cent.
Among the varieties, Co 86032, Co 87025 and Co 95020 registered significantly higher
tiller population at formative stage and plant height at harvest under both stress and non stress
conditions. The variety, Co 8014 showed maximum reduction in tiller population and plant
height due to stress compared to other varieties. This variety also has recorded maximum
reduction in relative water content, photosynthetic rate, fluorescence and SPAD due to moisture
stress. The number of millable canes under both stress and non stress conditions were
significantly highest in Co 86032 and Co 87025, while the cane girth and single cane weight
were maximum in 97 R 401. The lowest yield attributes were observed in Co 8014 which
showed a reduction of 24 to 35 per cent due to moisture stress. This variety showed maximum
reduction in sucrose per cent, commercial cane sugar yield and hence cane yield. The genotype,
Co 95020 outperformed the other varieties with significantly highest cane yield and quality both
under stress and non stress conditions.
The size and distribution of root system of Sugarcane genotypes observed in terms of
spread of functional root types, root volume, root length and root dry weight in the poly bag
study were significant. All the varieties, except 97 R 401 exhibited more growth of superficial
roots than buttress roots. Whereas, 97 R 401 maintained more spread of buttress roots than
superficial roots. The rope roots were observed only with the varieties, Co 95020, Co 87025 and
Co 94012 indicating their ability to explore more soil space. The shoot to root ratio, root volume,
root length and root dry weight were significantly high for Co 95020 and low for Co 8014.
The bio-chemical activity observed in Sugarcane genotypes during moisture stress for 20
days at formative stage indicated that superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activity raised to
maximum in the varieties Co 95020 and Co 87025 ranging from 109 to 122 and 20 to 21
eu/100ml/gram fresh weight, respectively.
Thus, it is observed that the growth of sugarcane was associated with better root growth
supporting canopy development and photosynthesis under moisture stress while better
photosynthetic performance was observed to be dependent on traits such as SCMR,
photochemical efficiency, photosynthetic rate and relative water content of the tissue. Further,
sucrose content has a strong association with cane and sugar yields in sugarcane genotypes. The
biochemical activity invariably is associated with better crop performance under moisture stress
conditions. Based on all the parameters, it can be concluded that sugarcane genotypes viz., Co
95020 and Co 87025 could be categorized as “drought tolerant” while the genotypes Co 86032,
97 R 129 and Co 94012 as moderately tolerant and Co 8014, 97 R 401 and 2003 V 46 could be
referred to as "drought susceptible".
Description
Keywords
MOISTURE, STRESS, ANTI-OXIDANT, ENZYME, ACTIVITY, GROWTH, YIELD, SUGARCANE