Effect of Water Stress on Leaf Temperature, Transpiration Rate, Stomatal Diffusive Resistance and Yield of Banana

Abstract

The present investigation was undertaken under field condition to study the effect of water deficit on leaf temperature, transpiration rate, stomatal diffusive resistance and yield of banana cultivars and hybrids. Stress was imposed at different critical stages viz., 3 rd , 5 th , 7 th and 9 th month after planting. The stress was given by scheduling irrigation at the 50% 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 the soil water potential of around - 6 bars and in the case of stressed plots; the irrigation was given when an ASM reached 50% with the soil water potential of - 14 bars. In stressed plots, 50% ASM was reached around 30 days. In this present study conducted with twelve cultivars and hybrids with three replications. The data were analyzed by using split plot design. The research revealed that, leaf temperature was usually negatively correlation with transpiration rate. Transpiration rate revealed a decreasing trend throughout the growth period of the crop with increasing in leaf temperature and stomatal diffusive resistance. The cultivars and hybrids of Karpuravalli, Karpuravalli×Pisang Jajee, Saba, and Sannachenkathali was identified as tolerant to water stress with highly accelerated in transpiration rate by water stress treatment with slight increase in leaf temperature over control.