Physiological indicators of the interaction between water deficit and soil acidity in sugarcane

Abstract

The aim of this work was to assess the physiological indicators of the interaction between water deficit and soil acidity, in sugarcane. The plants were submitted to three treatments of water availability – no stress (70% of field capacity, FC), moderate stress (55% FC), and extreme stress (40% FC); and three acidity treatments – no acidity [base saturation (V) = 55%], average acidity (V = 33%), and high acidity (V = 23%). The experiment was carried out in greenhouse, with 29.7±4.3oC and 75±10% RH. The experimental design was in randomized blocks, in 3x3 factorial arrangement, with four replicates. After 60 days, the contents of compatible solutes – trehalose, glycine betaine and proline – in the diagnostic leaf and the initial growth of shoots were determined. The compatible solutes trehalose, glycine betaine, and proline are indicators of the interaction of water and acidity stresses in the soil. The accumulation of compatible solutes in plant foliar tissues can not prevent sugarcane losses in dry matter production, caused by increasing water deficit and soil acidity.