Physiological response to hydric stress of banana plants cv. `Pineo Gigante' (<i>Musa</i> AAA) regenerated from irradiated buds

Abstract

Drought has adversely affected agriculture, especially in those crops with high water demand such as Musa. Therefore, finding tolerant plant materials it is required. The aim of this study was to characterize the physiological response of banana plants cv. `Pineo gigante' (Musa AAA), in vitro regenerated from buds irradiated with X-rays, to water stress at greenhouse. In plants subjected to 0, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours without irrigation, rate of net photosynthesis, transpiration rate and stomatal conductance were measured. Besides, the content of chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b was determined. Plants from irradiated buds had a differential physiological behaviour tending to a better water management and to the maintenance of photosynthetic activity under simulated water stress. Key words: drought tolerance, mutations, plant physiology, photosynthesis