Muneeba Banoo, Bhav Kumar Sinha, Gurdev Chand and Reena Sinha

A study was conducted to evaluate the role of physical technique partial root drying (PRD) and plant growth retardant, paclobutrazol (PBZ) for ameliorating the effect of drought in tomato. Different concentration of PBZ (1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 ppm) were applied in pot condition at the time of transplanting. The highest relative water content in tomato leaves was observed in PBZ @ 2.5ppm and PRD + 2.5ppm PBZ and lowest in control and PRD. In PBZ treated plants, the level of total carotenoids, lycopene and ascorbic acid in tomato fruit at harvest were higher than control. The significant reduction in total phenols, proline content and relative stress injury were recorded in plants treated with PBZ @ 2.5ppm and PRD + 2.5ppm PBZ. Changes in protein profiles were also observed in PBZ treated plants than control. The highest yield per plant was found in plants treated with PBZ @ 2.5ppm and in PRD + 2.5ppm PBZ. Paclobutrazol @ 2.5 ppm commands a great significance by controlling the growth of plants and by maintaining the relative water content, photosynthetic pigments and protects the photosynthetic machinery by enhancing the level of osmolytes, endogenous hormones and thereby enhances the yield.

DOI: 10.22271/phyto.2023.v12.i6d.14803

Pages: 349-355  |  427 Views  192 Downloads