Identification of physiological and biochemical traits related to high tuber yielding in potato under drought conditions

Potato is a valuable food crop and number of factors affect its growth, yield and quality including drought stress. So, a study was conducted for the identification of physiological and biochemical traits related to high tuber yielding in potatoes under drought conditions. A Total of 25 potato genotypes, 9 high-yielding, 9 moderate-yielding, and 7 low-yielding under drought and control conditions, were used. Tubers were planted in pots, and during the tuber initiation phase, they were separated into two sets: one as the control group and the other subjected to drought conditions by withholding irrigation for a duration of 12 days. The experiment was conducted two times and data for Biochemical traits, physiological parameters and enzymatic activity of different potato genotypes (high-yielding, moderate-yielding and low-yielding genotypes) under control and drought conditions were determined. The findings revealed that when subjected to drought conditions, all genotypes exhibited an increase in MDA, proline, SOD, POD, and APX levels. The CAT, RWC, Photosynthesis rate, transpiration rate and stomatal conductance and tuber yield were significantly higher under control conditions as compared with drought conditions. The chlorophyll content and leaf temperature were not affected significantly under both normal and drought conditions.