Evaluation of the Morpho-physiological adaptations of Rabi sorghum genotypes under moisture stress conditions

Abstract

Increasing incidences of combined drought stress poses a serious threat to production and productivity of crops in India where of crop production is rainfed. In this review we discuss the morphological effects of drought and heat stresses, with specific emphasis on their combined effects on sorghum, a hardy small grain crop of diverse uses and suitable for marginal areas of the semi-arid tropics. Resistance mechanisms to drought stress were reviewed to enhance understanding amongst crop scientists and botanists. The most important physiological processes in sorghum that is sensitive to drought and heat stresses include cell division, cell metabolism, photosynthesis, biosynthesis of bioactive and secondary metabolites, nutrient uptake and membrane stability. The experiment was done in randomized block design, replicated thrice with 15 genotypes viz., PKV Kranti, CSV-29 R, Maldandi (M-35-1), IC-289770, IC-352055, IC-352468-X, IC-352481, IC-352433, IC-352178, GP-4154, IC-289594, IC-352416, EC-484375, IC-289169, IC-352469, IC-352469.In the present investigation results revealed that genotype IC-352481 recorded significantly maximum leaf area plant-1 (31.85 dm-2), RWC (54.73%), CTD (1.03 °C) and CCI (30.7) at harvest. M 35-1 recorded best in performance on the basis of all traits under study than other check genotypes viz. PKV Kranti and CSV-29R in moisture stress conditions.