Impact of Drought Stress on Plant Morphology

Oct 13, 2025 by windailys.com 92 views

Morphological, Physiological and Biochemical Analysis of Palm Oil Crops Proceeds of Drought in the Nursery Phase: Finding Varieties Resistant to Drought

Introduction

Palm oil, a vital palm oil producing plant for the Indonesian economy, is very vulnerable to drought. Climate changes are increasingly threatening the sustainability of oil palm production, so it is necessary to plant materials that are tolerant of drought and efficient in the use of water. One method for assessing plant responses to drought stress in the nursery phase is to use the Fraction to Transpiration Soil Water (FTSW) method. This method observes the condition of plant transpiration, so that it can describe the condition of soil humidity based on the amount of water that is transformed.

Background

Palm oil production is a significant contributor to the Indonesian economy, but it is also highly vulnerable to drought. Climate change is exacerbating this vulnerability, making it essential to develop drought-tolerant palm oil varieties. The FTSW method is a useful tool for assessing plant responses to drought stress in the nursery phase. This study aims to investigate the impact of drought stress on the growth and development of oil palm plants in the nursery phase and to identify potential varieties for cultivation in dry areas.

Methodology

This study uses a randomized group design with three replications, involving two factors: three levels of FTSW (0, 0.4, and 0.1) that represent the level of drought, and six oil palm varieties. The aim is to see the best plant response to drought stress and identify potential varieties for cultivation in dry areas.

Results

The results showed that FTSW 0 (permanent withered point) was achieved on the 40th day. Treatment of drought stress (FTSW 0.4 and FTSW 0.1) has a significant impact on the growth of morphology, physiology, and biochemistry of oil palm plants.

Impact of Drought Stress on Plant Morphology

Drought stress causes a decrease in plant height, number of leaves, stem diameter, length of roots, and root volume. These changes indicate that drought stress has a significant impact on the growth and development of oil palm plants.

Plant Height

Drought stress causes a decrease in plant height. This is because drought stress reduces the availability of water, which is essential for plant growth and development.

Number of Leaves

The number of leaves in plants that experience drought stress tends to be smaller. This is because drought stress reduces the availability of water, which is essential for leaf growth and development.

Stem Diameter

The diameter of the plant stem exposed to drought also shows a decrease. This is because drought stress reduces the availability of water, which is essential for stem growth and development.

Length of Roots

Length of roots of plants exposed to drought stress tends to be shorter, indicating that the roots are difficult to absorb water.

Root Volume

Root volume also decreased, indicating that the roots did not develop optimally due to lack of water.

Impact of Drought Stress on Plant Physiology

Drought stress has a significant impact on plant physiology, including wet weight and dry weight of plants.

Wet Weight of Plants

The wet weight of plants exposed to drought stress is lower compared to control plants. This is because drought stress reduces the availability of water, which is essential for plant growth and development.

Dry Weight of Plants

Dry weight of plants exposed to drought stress is also lower, indicating that plant growth is inhibited.

Impact of Drought Stress on Plant Biochemistry

Drought stress has a significant impact on plant biochemistry, including chlorophyll content, proline content, and ABA acid content.

Chlorophyll Content

Drought stress causes a decrease in chlorophyll content, which shows that the process of photosynthesis is disrupted.

Proline Content

Palm oil plants exposed to drought stress showed an increase in proline levels. Proline is a compound that plays a role in maintaining water balance and protecting plants from stress.

ABA Acid Content (ABA)

Drought stress causes an increase in ABA levels in plants. ABA is a hormone that plays a role in the regulation of stomata closure, which aims to reduce water loss through transpiration.

Identification of Drought Resistant Varieties

The results showed that the varieties of Dyxp Dumpy, DXP Simalungun, and DXP PPKS 239 showed better morphological and physiological responses to drought stress compared to other varieties. This variety is able to maintain better growth, even in conditions of lack of water.

Conclusion and Recommendations

This study shows that drought stress has a significant effect on the growth and development of oil palm plants in the nursery phase. Dyxp Dumpy, DXP Simalungun, and DXP PPKS 239 varieties are varieties that have the potential to be planted in dry areas, because they have better tolerance for drought stress.

The development of palm oil planting materials that are tolerant of drought becomes very important to face the challenges of climate change and maintain the productivity of oil palm plantations in Indonesia. Further research is needed to examine the mechanism of drought tolerance in oil palm varieties that have potential and develop effective cultivation strategies to increase drought tolerance in oil palm plants.

Future Research Directions

Further research is needed to:

Examine the mechanism of drought tolerance in oil palm varieties that have potential
Develop effective cultivation strategies to increase drought tolerance in oil palm plants
Identify new varieties of oil palm that are tolerant of drought
Develop new technologies to improve the efficiency of water use in oil palm plantations

Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations, including:

The study was conducted in a controlled environment, which may not reflect the conditions in the field
The study only examined the impact of drought stress on oil palm plants in the nursery phase
The study did not examine the impact of drought stress on oil palm plants in the mature phase

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study shows that drought stress has a significant effect on the growth and development of oil palm plants in the nursery phase. Dyxp Dumpy, DXP Simalungun, and DXP PPKS 239 varieties are varieties that have the potential to be planted in dry areas, because they have better tolerance for drought stress. Further research is needed to examine the mechanism of drought tolerance in oil palm varieties that have potential and develop effective cultivation strategies to increase drought tolerance in oil palm plants.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Morphological, Physiological and Biochemical Analysis of Palm Oil Crops Proceeds of Drought in the Nursery Phase

Q: What is the main objective of this study?

A: The main objective of this study is to investigate the impact of drought stress on the growth and development of oil palm plants in the nursery phase and to identify potential varieties for cultivation in dry areas.

Q: What is the Fraction to Transpiration Soil Water (FTSW) method?

A: The FTSW method is a useful tool for assessing plant responses to drought stress in the nursery phase. It observes the condition of plant transpiration, so that it can describe the condition of soil humidity based on the amount of water that is transformed.

Q: What are the effects of drought stress on plant morphology?

A: Drought stress causes a decrease in plant height, number of leaves, stem diameter, length of roots, and root volume. These changes indicate that drought stress has a significant impact on the growth and development of oil palm plants.

Q: What are the effects of drought stress on plant physiology?

A: Drought stress has a significant impact on plant physiology, including wet weight and dry weight of plants. The wet weight of plants exposed to drought stress is lower compared to control plants, and dry weight of plants exposed to drought stress is also lower, indicating that plant growth is inhibited.

Q: What are the effects of drought stress on plant biochemistry?

A: Drought stress has a significant impact on plant biochemistry, including chlorophyll content, proline content, and ABA acid content. Drought stress causes a decrease in chlorophyll content, an increase in proline levels, and an increase in ABA levels in plants.

Q: Which varieties of oil palm showed better morphological and physiological responses to drought stress?

A: The varieties of Dyxp Dumpy, DXP Simalungun, and DXP PPKS 239 showed better morphological and physiological responses to drought stress compared to other varieties.

Q: What are the implications of this study for the development of drought-tolerant oil palm varieties?

A: This study shows that drought stress has a significant effect on the growth and development of oil palm plants in the nursery phase. Dyxp Dumpy, DXP Simalungun, and DXP PPKS 239 varieties are varieties that have the potential to be planted in dry areas, because they have better tolerance for drought stress.

Q: What are the future research directions for this study?

A: Further research is needed to:

Examine the mechanism of drought tolerance in oil palm varieties that have potential
Develop effective cultivation strategies to increase drought tolerance in oil palm plants
Identify new varieties of oil palm that are tolerant of drought
Develop new technologies to improve the efficiency of water use in oil palm plantations

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: This study has several limitations, including:

The study was conducted in a controlled environment, which may not reflect the conditions in the field
The study only examined the impact of drought stress on oil palm plants in the nursery phase
The study did not examine the impact of drought stress on oil palm plants in the mature phase

Q: What are the conclusions of this study?

A: In conclusion, this study shows that drought stress has a significant effect on the growth and development of oil palm plants in the nursery phase. Dyxp Dumpy, DXP Simalungun, and DXP PPKS 239 varieties are varieties that have the potential to be planted in dry areas, because they have better tolerance for drought stress. Further research is needed to examine the mechanism of drought tolerance in oil palm varieties that have potential and develop effective cultivation strategies to increase drought tolerance in oil palm plants.