Pengaruh Pemberian Sitokinin terhadap Pertumbuhan dan Respon Biokimia Cabai Merah (Capsicum annuum L.) pada Kondisi Cekaman Kekeringan

Abstract

Drought is an example of altered environmental conditions caused by higher transpiration than absorption, or limited water availability at the root. The growth of chili plants is severely threatened by drought stress. Plant susceptibility to drought can be reduced and tolerance can be increased by applying 6-Benzylaminopurine. This study aims to determine the effect of cytokinin on the growth and biochemical responses of red chili (Capsicum annuum L.) under drought stress conditions. The research was conducted using factorial Randomized Group Design with 3 replications and 2 factors, namely the level of drought stress with 3 levels, including: 80, 60, 40% Field Capacity and 6-Benzylaminopurine Concentration with 4 levels including: 0, 10, 20, 30 ppm. The results showed that drought stress can inhibit the growth of plant height, number of leaves, root length, crown dry weight, root dry weight, root crown ratio, chlorophyll content. While drought stress can inhibit flowering, increase the enzymes superoxide dismutase, Peroxide Dismutase and Hydrogen Peroxide. Application of 6-Benzylaminopurine can increase plant height, number of leaves, root length, crown dry weight, root dry weight, root crown ratio, chlorophyll content, Peroxide Dismutase enzyme, can reduce Hydrogen Peroxide and superoxide dismutase enzyme. The interaction between drought stress and 6-Benzylaminopurine can increase plant height, number of leaves, root length, crown dry weight, root dry weight, root crown ratio, chlorophyll content and Peroxide Dismutase enzyme. While the interaction between drought stress and cytokinin can inhibit flowering. The activity of the enzymes superoxide dismutase and Peroxide Dismutase and Hydrogen Peroxide in the treatment of 10 ppm 6-Benzylaminopurine increased but at other doses tended to decrease which indicated an increase in plant defense mechanisms against oxidative stress, but not too significant. Thus, giving 10 ppm cytokinin can be an effective strategy in increasing the tolerance of red chili plants to drought stress.