Morphological and physiological characteristics of tissue culture derived of banana [Musa acuminata Colla (AA) ‘Lakatan’] under drought conditions as influenced by superabsorbent polymers (SAP)
Paper Details
Morphological and physiological characteristics of tissue culture derived of banana [Musa acuminata Colla (AA) ‘Lakatan’] under drought conditions as influenced by superabsorbent polymers (SAP)
Abstract
Banana (Musa acuminata Colla ‘Lakatan’) production was limited by drought, which had significant consequences for seedlings’ growth, water status and physiological performance. The morphological and physiological responses of tissue culture-derived ‘Lakatan’ banana seedlings to different levels of superabsorbent polymer (SAP) under controlled drought conditions were evaluated in this study at Cagayan State University–Gonzaga, Philippines. The data was analyzed using single factor ANOVA in CRD using the Statistical Tools for Agricultural Research (STAR) with the 5% significant level as a comparison of treatment means. A pot experiment arranged in a completely randomized design with four SAP treatments (0%, 1%, 2%, and 3% per 2 kg pre-mix soil), replicated three times with 20 plants per replicate (n=80 per treatments), was conducted over one seedling duration. Morphological parameters, chlorophyll content, and relative water content (RWC) were assessed during drought and post-drought recovery phases. Results showed that moderate SAP application Treatment 2 (1%) significantly enhanced resilience on drought. This was reflected in the increase in relative growth rate (RGR) plant height (cm) 9.76%, RGR pseudo stem diameter (cm) 1.8%, and RGR leaf area 0.0006 sq.cm compared with T1 (0% SAP). The significant improvement was correlated with maintaining the banana seedlings growth, and balanced root development, while untreated seedlings exhibited compensatory root elongation as response to water stress. Higher SAP levels Treatment 3 (≥2%) resulted in the highest relative water content (RWC) at 88.74%; but this treatment suppressed root elongation and limited shoot regrowth, due to altered soil aeration and altered nutrient dynamics. Overall, 1% SAP optimally balanced water retention and plant development, supporting both drought tolerance and recovery. These findings suggest that SAP application at moderate rates is a practical strategy to enhance banana seedling performance under water-limited conditions. Likewise, the economics feasibility of SAP application appears promising in the banana seedlings; nonetheless, field-level validation under diverse environmental conditions is required to validate its practical applicability in large-scale production.
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Jayrome S. Butay*, 2026. Morphological and physiological characteristics of tissue culture derived of banana [Musa acuminata Colla (AA) ‘Lakatan’] under drought conditions as influenced by superabsorbent polymers (SAP). Int. J. Biosci., 28(3), 125-138.
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