The Role of Chitosan and Silixol in Regulating Canopy Temperature and Leaf Area in Sugarcane under Drought Stress

Author: Vinay Hegde, T.H. Rathod, R.B. Ghorade, S. D. Jadhao, R. D. Walke and Kantilal Chande

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Abstract

Climate change has augmented abiotic stresses on crops, particularly through increased instances of water stress, which pose significant threats to the cultivation of commercial crops such as sugarcane. The sensitivity of sugarcane to drought stress emphasizes to formulate effective and scalable strategies such as, application of biostimulants to ensure the resilience and sustainability of sugarcane cultivation under stress conditions. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of bio stimulants in mitigating the adverse effects of drought on sugarcane, focusing on two key parameters: canopy temperature and leaf area. The experimental treatments include control, stress, stress with irradiated chitosan (0.1%), non-irradiated chitosan (0.5%), and silixol (0.03%), measuring the responses at 30, 60, 90, and 120 days after planting in sugarcane seedlings. Our findings revealed that drought stress elevated canopy temperature and reduced leaf area in sugarcane seedlings. However, the application of biostimulants, particularly silixol, effectively counteracted these effects. Irradiated chitosan (0.1%) and non-irradiated chitosan (0.5%) also significantly mitigated these adverse impacts. This study demonstrates the significant potential of biostimulants, such as silixol and chitosan, in reducing canopy temperature and minimizing leaf area reduction in sugarcane under drought conditions. This study provides valuable insights into the efficacy of biostimulants, particularly silixol and chitosan, in mitigating drought-induced stress on sugarcane. These findings emphasize the promising role of biostimulants in promoting sustainable agricultural practices in the face of changing global climate patterns.

Keywords

Biostimulants, sugarcane, water stress, canopy temperature

Conclusion

This study investigated the role of biostimulants in modulating canopy temperature and leaf area in sugarcane under drought stress. The findings provide compelling evidence that biostimulants can significantly mitigate the effects of water stress. Specifically, the application of irradiated chitosan (0.1%) led to a marked reduction in canopy temperature, with a notable difference of approximately 5°C from the peak stress condition at 120 days after planting. Furthermore, the same treatment improved leaf area measurements, with an increase of 122.23 cm² compared to the stress plants at 120 days after planting. The application of biostimulants, especially irradiated chitosan and silixol, exhibited promising results in enhancing the drought resilience of sugarcane. These treatments maintained lower canopy temperatures and higher leaf areas compared to plants under stress. These results suggest that biostimulants enhance the plant's physiological resilience to drought, potentially through mechanisms that improve water use efficiency, maintain cellular function, and support growth under stress conditions. These findings suggest that biostimulants could play a crucial role in the adaptive strategies for sugarcane cultivation underdrought stress.

References

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How to cite this article

Vinay Hegde, T.H. Rathod, R.B. Ghorade, S. D. Jadhao, R. D. Walke and Kantilal Chande (2023). The Role of Chitosan and Silixol in Regulating Canopy Temperature and Leaf Area in Sugarcane under Drought Stress. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(10): 986-989.