V. Vishnu1, Deepa S. Nair1*, R.V. Manju2, N.S. Sonia3, K.P. Sindura4, A. Rahul1 and L.K. Akilan4
1Department of Plantation, Spices, Medicinal and Aromatic Crops, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Kerala Agricultural University, Thiruvananthapuram, India; 2Department of Plant Physiology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Kerala Agricultural University, Thiruvananthapuram, India; 3Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Padannakkad, Kerala Agricultural University, Kasaragod, India; 4Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Kerala Agricultural University, Thiruvananthapuram, India. Corresponding e-mail: deepanair.s@kau.in.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2025.v27i01.15
Key words: Chitosan, drought, photosynthetic parameters, gas exchange parameters, infrared gas analyser, drought stress
Abstract: The study, conducted at the Department of Plantation, Spices, Medicinal, and Aromatic Crops, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, aimed to assess the impact of foliar application of chitosan on photosynthetic performance in drought-stressed long pepper (Piper longum L.). Two concentrations of chitosan (0.5 and 1 g L-1) were applied to drought stress (irrigated at 60 and 75 % field capacities) and photosynthetic parameters were observed. Chitosan-treated plants, particularly at 1 g L-1 concentration, exhibited significantly higher relative water content, stomatal density, photosynthetic efficiency, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, and water-use efficiency. Chitosan-treated plants also showed improved chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, chlorophyll content, and biomass yield compared to untreated controls. These findings suggest the potential of chitosan as a bio-elicitor against abiotic stresses in long pepper, warranting further research in this area.
