Republic of the Philippines
SORSOGON STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Agriculture
Agriculture
Castilla Campus
Mayon, Castilla, Sorsogon
E-mail Add.:
[email protected]Ivy Regine D. Dreu
BSA-CS 4A
Laboratory 1.
Effects of Drought Stress
1. Collect sample photos that shows effects of drought stress on vegetable crops. You can take a
photo if there is any in your area, or browse in the internet provided it was properly credited.
Briefly describe each photos, and explain the effects of drought stress to that certain crop.
-The photo shows a tomato plant exhibiting clear signs of drought stress. The plant is wilted, with leaves
that appear dry and possibly curled. The stem looks somewhat shriveled. While some tomatoes are
present, they may be smaller than expected, and the overall health and vigor of the plant are
significantly compromised.
-The image shows the following sign of drought stress;
Wilting: Leaves lose turgor pressure and droop. This is a very common and early sign of water stress.
Leaf Curling: Leaves curl up or downward to reduce surface area and water loss.
Increased Susceptibility to Pests and Diseases: Stressed plants are more vulnerable to pest infestations
and diseases just like in this image.
-The image shows lettuce plants growing in severely dry, cracked soil. This indicates significant drought
stress. The plants themselves appear somewhat smaller than they would under normal conditions and
may show signs of wilting or stunted growth.
-The image shows sugar beet plants exhibiting severe drought stress. The leaves are wilted, drooping,
and showing signs of desiccation. The appearance indicates a significant lack of water, severely impacting
plant health and likely yield.
-The image shows young corn plants growing in severely dry, cracked soil. The severely cracked and dry
earth is a clear indication of extreme drought conditions. The corn plants themselves appear stunted and
stressed, though not yet severely wilted.
Drought Resistance Mechanism
1. Differentiate the following;
Drought escape: Plants complete their life cycle before the onset of severe drought.
Drought avoidance: Plants reduce water loss through mechanisms like deep roots or leaf
modifications.
Drought tolerance: Plants withstand drought conditions by maintaining metabolic functions even
with low water availability.
Drought Resistance Mechanisms
1. Explain the importance of Breeding approach and biotechnology in response to drought stress.
-Breeding approaches and biotechnology are crucial for developing drought-resistant crops.
Traditional breeding methods select and cross-breed plants with desirable drought tolerance traits,
gradually improving resilience over generations. Biotechnology offers faster and more precise
solutions, enabling the introduction of specific genes responsible for drought tolerance, such as
those enhancing water uptake, reducing water loss, or improving stress response mechanisms.
Combining these approaches accelerates the development of crops that can withstand drought,
ensuring food security in water-scarce regions.
