Vol. 12, Special Issue 9 (2023)

Author(s):
Khwairakpam Rozerto, Budhindra Nath Hazarika, Siddhartha Singh, Nangsol Dolma Bhutia, L Wangchu, Prabha Chettri, Tabalique Yumkhaibam, S Dhanalakshmi, Rituraj Dutta, Linthoingambi Ningombam and Pravinkumar Yumkhaibam

Abstract:
To investigate the changes in strawberry growth and chlorophyll contents under drought stress, the interaction impact of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and cultivars was assessed. In the North-Eastern area, where rainfall is the main source of irrigation, this experiment was conducted to better understand the mechanisms by which strawberries may tolerate drought stress when they are exposed to inadequate water supply. Three strawberry cultivars Winter Star, Brilliance, and Winter Dawn were grown in this experiment in a sand and cocopeat (2:1) culture for 30 days to allow them to fully establish after planting. Then, 4 levels of PEG 0%, 5%, 10%, and 20% were added twice a week for 14 days to simulate drought stress before the plants were uprooted for further investigation. The outcomes of this study show that the treatments had a detrimental effect on the morpho-physiological parameters. Examined after 7 and 14 days of the therapy, shoot length, root length, and chlorophyll levels were drastically decreased. The least decreased was shown in Winter Star, followed by Winter Dawn at 0% PEG, indicating higher tolerance when taking into account the morpho-physiological characteristics. The inhibition was more prominent in 20% PEG and Brilliance cultivar.