Effect of Waterlogging on the Morphological Characters of Mutant Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) in the Early Stage

Abstract

Waterlogging stress is a limiting factor in sugarcane growth due to global climate change. In Indonesia, Waterlogging stress in sugarcane areas is caused by high rainfall and the increasing number of sugarcane plants cultivated on land with less than optimal drainage systems. In this study, four sugarcane genotypes, 1 Bululawang commercial genotype (M1), and three mutation breeding genotypes using EMS mutagens (M2, M3 & M4) were subjected to waterlogging stress for 90 days. They observed data at 30 DAT, 60 DAT, and 90 DAT. The study results showed that waterlogging stress had an impact on decreasing leaf area, leaf relative water content, chlorophyll content, photosynthetic efficiency, and inhibition of plant height growth. Sugarcane will respond to waterlogging stress conditions; a series of response forms given by plants include anatomical, morphological, physiological, and biochemical responses as a form of resistance in dealing with waterlogging stress. The sugarcane M4 genotype gave the best growth response under waterlogging stress through indicators of leaf area, RWC, chlorophyll content, photochemical efficiency, and plant height compared to other genotypes. All sugarcane genotypes showed changes in root morphology through adventitious root formation in response to waterlogging conditions.