Taban Atto Rachel2025-05-272025-05-272025-05-21https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12311/2668UndergraduateThis 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.enThesis