Research on thermo hydric stress effect on some early potato physiological processes

Abstract

The main climatic factors that affect the metabolism of horticultural plants are high temperature, low precipitation (drought) and increased soil salinity, as a result of those. This research aimed to clarify key physiological changes in Solanum tuberosum L. plants exposed to thermo hydric stress compared to those grown under normal conditions. Potato plants grown on sandy soil in two active humidity interval (A.H.I.) 50% and 80% were analyzed. Water stress conditions (50% from AHI) reduced the average intensity of the photosynthesis process of the five varieties of potatoes with an average of 16%, compared with irrigated (80% AHI). Under water stress, the average intensity of respiration process of the five varieties was higher by 7.8% compared with the variants grown at soil moisture of 80% AHI. Water stress occurred in the case of the 50% AHI, caused inhibition of transpiration in all varieties. Thermo hydric stress had no net influence on leaf chlorophyll content. Tresor variety grown in water stress conditions (50% AHI) was characterized by the most intense metabolic activity, with the highest intensity of the processes of photosynthesis, respiration, transpiration and highest chlorophyll content in leaves.