Evaluating the Phenotypic and Physiological Traits Associated With Drought in Selected Genotypes of Solanum aethiopicum Gilo
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2025-05-21
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Uganda Christian University
Abstract
This study evaluated phenotypic and physiological traits associated with drought stress in nine genotypes of Solanum aethiopicum gilo to identify drought-tolerant genotypes. Using a split-plot design under controlled conditions, plants were subjected to drought stress (20% field capacity) and well-watered conditions (80% field capacity). Significant genotypic variation was observed in response to drought, with substantial treatment effects on all measured parameters. While drought significantly reduced plant height (16.1%), leaf area (27.7%), and stem girth (16.3%), it remarkably increased chlorophyll content (28.6%). Genotypes G1, G7, and G8 demonstrated superior drought tolerance, maintaining higher relative water content (>22%), better biomass retention, and lower wilting scores compared to susceptible genotypes. G8 showed the lowest wilting score (1.556) and G1 exhibited the highest chlorophyll enhancement (47.7%). These findings support the hypothesis of significant physiological differences between droughttolerant and susceptible genotypes, providing valuable germplasm resources for breeding resilient varieties suitable for drought-prone regions.
Description
Undergraduate