Morpho-physiological response of oil palm seedling subjected to soil moisture stress

• S. Ovie

  Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research, P.M.B., 1030, Benin City, Edo State Corresponding

  Author

• M. T. Ahanon

  Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research, P.M.B., 1030, Benin City, Edo State Corresponding

  Author

• R. A. Okere

  Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research, P.M.B., 1030, Benin City, Edo State Corresponding

  Author

• F. U. Maidoh

  Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research, P.M.B., 1030, Benin City, Edo State Corresponding

  Author

Tropical Southern Nigeria where oil palm dominates is subjected to seasonal moisture stress. Moisture stress is one of the main factor limiting oil palm growth and consequently yield in the zone. This study evaluated the effects of soil moisture stress on some morphophysiological characteristics of oil palm seedling. Changes in relative leaf water content, plant height, leaf area and number of leaves of oil palm seedlings under six degrees of soil moisture stress (95 – 100 (well - watered control), 70 – 75, 60 – 65, 50 – 55, 40 – 45 and 30 – 35 % of field capacity) under pot conditions were studied. The trial was carried out between October 2017 to October 2018 in a greenhouse of the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR), Benin City Nigeria. The results showed that maximum relative leaf water content was found in 95 – 100 % FC. Relative leaf water content did not differ between 95 – 100 % and 70 – 75 % of FC. Increasing moisture stress from 60 – 65 to 30 – 35 % FC significantly decreased relative leaf water content compared to the control. Plant height, leaf area and number of leaves of oil palm seedling decreased with the increasing levels of moisture stress. However, no significant differences in growth parameters were observed between the control (95 – 100 %) and 70 – 75 % of FC. The results suggest that a soil moisture stress beyond 70 – 75 % FC should be avoided to minimize reductions in relative leaf water content and growth of oil palm seedling grown on Orlu series of the study area

1. S. Ovie, Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research, P.M.B., 1030, Benin City, Edo State Corresponding

   Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research, P.M.B., 1030, Benin City, Edo State Corresponding

2. M. T. Ahanon, Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research, P.M.B., 1030, Benin City, Edo State Corresponding

   Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research, P.M.B., 1030, Benin City, Edo State Corresponding

3. R. A. Okere, Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research, P.M.B., 1030, Benin City, Edo State Corresponding

   Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research, P.M.B., 1030, Benin City, Edo State Corresponding

4. F. U. Maidoh, Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research, P.M.B., 1030, Benin City, Edo State Corresponding

   Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research, P.M.B., 1030, Benin City, Edo State Corresponding

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