Leaf Water Potential as an Index of Drought Tolerance in Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.)
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Date
1988
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Abstract
Leaf water potential as an index of drought tolerance in coconut (Cocos nucifera L.). Rajagopal V, Shivishankar S, Kasturibai K V, and Voleti S R. (PI. Physiol. & Biochem. Divn., Central Plantation Crops Res. Inst., Kasaragod 670 124, India). PI Physiol. & Biochem. 15(1) : 80-86, 1988—Coconut genotypes were screened for drought tolerance using the leaf water potential (<J*) measurements. Adult coconut palms comprising the tails (West Coast Tails, WCT and Laccadive Ordinary, LO), the dwarfs (Chowghat Dwarf Orange, CDO and Ganga-bondam, GB) and the hybrids (WCT x CDO, CDO x WCT, LO x GB and LO x CDO) were selected for the study. During the dry period, the fy of the spindle leaves was measured in the field immediately after excision of leaflets and at three hour intervals until 9 h after subjecting them to dehydration. The ψ declined with time to different degrees among the genotypes. However, LO x CDO, WCT and LO & GB maintained higher ty than the other genotypes, irrespective of the time of dehydration, indicating thereby the degree of tolerance. That the above three genotypes are more tolerant to desiccation was also revealed by relatively low activities of two sensitive enzymes viz. acid phosphatase (Aph) and glutamate oxalic acid transaminase (GOT), contrary to high activities shown by the susceptible genotypes. The field performance of the genotypes under drought conditions served as an evidence for their ability to withstand water deficit conditions. Thus, ψ measurement can serve as a rapid method of screening for drought tolerance in coconut plantations.
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Keywords
Acid phosphatse/Cocos nucifera L., Drought, Glutamate oxalic acid transaminase, Leaf water potential
Citation
Pl.Phys.Biochem. 1988 v-15 p-80-86