Influence of drought stress on growth, morphology, physiology & yield performance of potato (Solanum tuberosum)

Abstract

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is one of the most widely cultivated food crops worldwide, serving as a vital source of carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. However, its productivity is highly sensitive to drought stress, which adversely affects plant growth, physiology, and tuber yield. The present study was conducted to evaluate the influence of drought stress on the morphological, physiological, and yield performance of potato under natural conditions. The experiment was carried out in the Botanical Garden and Laboratories of the Botany Department, A.I. Jat H.M. College, Rohtak, using a randomized block design with two irrigation treatments well-watered and drought-stressed each replicated three times. Morphological parameters such as plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, and biomass accumulation were recorded, along with physiological attributes including chlorophyll content, total organic nitrogen, and nitrate reductase (NR) enzyme activity (in vivo and in vitro). Drought stress significantly reduced plant height, leaf number, and leaf area, while causing a marked decline in chlorophyll concentration, nitrogen content, and NR activity compared to well-watered plants. The reduction in these parameters resulted in lower tuber yield and overall growth performance. The findings suggest that drought-induced impairment of photosynthetic pigments and nitrogen metabolism plays a critical role in yield reduction. Physiological traits like chlorophyll content and NR enzyme activity can serve as potential markers for screening drought-tolerant potato genotypes.