Variations in growth, proline content, and nitrate reductase activity of Canna edulis at different water availability

Abstract

Abstract. Nugraheni W, Solichatun, Etikawati N. 2019. Variations in growth, proline content, and nitrate reductase activity of Canna edulis at different water availability. Cell Biol Dev 3: 30-39. Information on the physiological characteristics of Indian shot (Canna edulis Ker Gawl.), especially regarding the effect of water availability in its cultivation, is still limited. This study aims to determine the effect of variations in water availability on growth, proline content, and nitrate reductase activity in two intraspecies variations of C. edulis. Information on the physiological characteristics of C. edulis can be used as a basis for plant breeding efforts to optimize their cultivation. The study was conducted using a completely randomized design (CRD) with one factor, particularly water availability (A1=100% FC, A2=75% FC, A3=50% FC), with 3 replications for each intraspecies variation. The treatment of variations in water availability was given by watering once a day for 3 months. The data obtained for each intraspecies variation were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA). Suppose there was a significant difference between the treatments for variations in water availability. In that case, it is followed by Duncan's Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at a 5% level. In contrast, the data obtained on both intraspecies variations were analyzed by t-test to compare the response of the two intraspecies variations towards variations in water availability. The research results on each intraspecies variation of C. edulis showed that the treatment of variations in water availability affected growth, proline content, and nitrate reductase activity. In the variables of the number of leaves, leaf area, respiration rate, plant height, gross plant weight, and plant dry weight, the optimal growth is at 100% FC water availability. Proline content and nitrate reductase activity were influenced by variations in water availability, with the highest proline accumulation at 50% FC water availability, while the highest nitrate reductase activity was at 100% FC water availability. Both intraspecies variations of C. edulis plants have the same growth response, proline content, and nitrate reductase activity towards variations in water availability.