Diurnal Changes in Photosynthetic Parameters of Promising Sugarcane Clones under Drought Conditions and Rehydration at the Mature Growth Stage in Northeast Thailand
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14456/jare-mju.2026.26Keywords:
net photosynthesis rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, drought stress, diurnal variationAbstract
Understanding how sugarcane photosynthesis fluctuates throughout the day during drought and rehydration is vital for grasping how these plants adapt to challenging conditions. However, the knowledge on the diurnal change of photosynthesis of Thai sugarcane remains limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the diurnal changes in photosynthetic parameters under drought and after rehydration at mature growth stage of two promising sugarcane clones (KK07-599 and KK3/E09-1) and DOA KK3. The experiment was conducted at Khon Kaen Field Crops Research Center (KKFCRC), Khon Kaen Province, Thailand in 2023. Sugarcanes were planted in cement blocks with two irrigation managements: (1) well-watered based on plant requirement, and (2) restrict-watered for 19 days at 298–316 days after plantation (DAP) to induce water deficit, and re-watering at 317 DAPs to measured three days after rehydration at day 320. The results showed that the net photosynthesis rate, transpiration rate, and stomatal conductance of all sugarcane genotypes were reduced under drought conditions compared to well-watered condition. These parameters were lowest in the early morning and evening, reaching their highest levels in the morning or at noon. The net photosynthesis rate of well-watered group was 10-15 µmol CO2 m-2 s-1, which was higher than that of the restrict-watered group (less than 10 µmol CO2 m-2 s-1). Conversely, the restrict-watered group showed the highest internal CO2 concentration at dusk or dawn (approximately 300-400 µmol mol-1). The diurnal variation in photosynthetic parameters observed across all sugarcane genotypes did not reflect drought tolerance. However, following rehydration, the sugarcanes were able to restore its photosynthetic parameters to levels comparable to those under well-watered conditions. This demonstrates the strong adaptability of sugarcane in rain-fed regions, where cultivation commonly occurs in the late rainy season and is followed by a prolonged drought before rainfall resumes. Nevertheless, further research into the source-sink relationship and sugar translocation is necessary to gain a deeper understanding of sugar accumulation under drought conditions.
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