Evaluation of electrolyte leakage and Malondialdehyde (MDA) content of sugarcane leaves under water-deficit stress conditions

Water-deficit stress is a major abiotic stress that causes severe limitations on the productivity of sugarcane. To overcome of this problem, drought tolerance sugarcane cultivars should be developed and selected for planting. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the variation of electrolyte leakage (EL) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content of sugarcane leaves under water-deficit stress conditions. The greenhouse experiment was conducted using two water regimes as the first factor [(i) well-watered and (ii) stressed at 90 to 100 days after planting (DAP) and recovery 100 to 110 DAP] and 10 sugarcane cultivars (Uthong 6, Khon Kaen 80, Khon Kaen 3, K86-161, 03-4-425, KU60-1, B34-164, Phill 66-07, Uthong 2 and LF82-2122) as the second factor. A 2 × 10 factorial experiment was set up in a randomized complete block design with two replications. After that the measurement of relative water content (RWC), EL and MDA were performed. The results showed that water-deficit stress significantly reduced RWC, while the percentage of EL was increased. The genotypes K86-161 and Khon Kaen 3 exhibited lower EL. Thismeans that both genotypes had higher membrane stability under water-deficit stress and also imparted water stress tolerance in K86-161 and Khon Kaen 3. The results for MDA showed that water-deficit stress did not significantly affect the level of MDA.