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Classification of genotypes, leaf retention, pith density and carbohydrate dynamics in cassava under water deficit stress conditions

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Abstract

A collection of 25 cassava genotypes was evaluated for drought tolerance for 3 years 2017–18 to 2019–20 consecutively under field conditions. The experiment 1 revealed that growth, yield, dry matter content and starch yield of tubers were adversely affected by water deficit stress. The genotypes were classified into five drought-tolerant classes based on Drought Tolerance Index (DTI) for yield/plant. The selection of the top 3 high yielding genotypes viz., 8S501, CR 43-7 and 9S127 under water deficit stress conditions resulted in a genetic gain of 0.51 kg/plant in tuber yield. It was difficult to predict an optimum leaf retention value since it did not have correlations with any of the growth and yield parameters. However, it had a significant positive association with Leaf Area Index (LAI) and open stomata/100 µm2. In experiment-2, the selected tolerant and susceptible genotypes from experiment-1 were studied for relative leaf water content, pith density, partitioning index (PI) and carbohydrate dynamics. Tolerant and susceptible genotypes maintained similar leaf water content and the pith density throughout the water deficit stress period. But, the distribution of spongy parenchyma tissue was not uniform in the pith region in susceptible genotypes. Tolerant genotypes had higher PI at 0, 2 and 4 months after stress (MAS) than susceptible genotypes. It was also observed that early tuber bulking helps in maintaining PI and drought tolerance of cassava. The effect of drought on relative leaf water content, dry matter content and total carbohydrate content of leaf and pith were prominent in the latter stages of stress than that of initial stages. At the initial stages of stress (2MAS) carbohydrates accumulation in leaf and pith was observed, and their mobilisation to the tubers was found in the latter stages of stress (4MAS).

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge Dr K.I. Asha for supplying indigenous cassava germplasm, Dr G. Byju for soil nutrient status analysis; Dr V. Ramesh for providing soil moisture metre and to Dr G. Suja for sharing laboratory facilities such as leaf area meter and spectrophotometer. The authors extend thanks to the Head, Department of Botany, University of Kerala for sharing microscope facility for observing the leaf stomata.

Funding

The research is fully funded by ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Crop Improvement, ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India

    A. V. V. Koundinya, B. R. Ajeesh, N. Sai Lekshmi, Vivek Hegde & M. N. Sheela

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  1. A. V. V. Koundinya
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  2. B. R. Ajeesh
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Correspondence to A. V. V. Koundinya.

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Communicated by M. J. Reigosa.

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Koundinya, A.V.V., Ajeesh, B.R., Lekshmi, N.S. et al. Classification of genotypes, leaf retention, pith density and carbohydrate dynamics in cassava under water deficit stress conditions. Acta Physiol Plant 45, 83 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-023-03557-0

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