Growth and Morphological Responses of Chaya (Cnidoscolus aconitifolius) under Different Drought Stress Durations

¹ University of Sriwijaya, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Agronomy, Jl. Raya Palembang-Prabumulih Km 32 Indralaya, Ogan Ilir 30662, Indonesia
² University of Sriwijaya, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Agroecotechnology, Jl. Raya Palembang-Prabumulih Km 32 Indralaya, Ogan Ilir 30662, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract

Chaya (Cnidoscolus aconitifolius) is a perennial leafy vegetable known for its high nutritional value and tolerance to marginal environmental conditions, including drought stress. However, prolonged water deficit may significantly affect its growth and productivity. This study aimed to evaluate the morphological and growth responses of chaya under different durations of drought stress. The experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions using a randomized block design with five drought treatments: control (well-watered), and drought periods of 4, 8, 12, and 16 days. Growth parameters, morphological traits, and biomass accumulation were measured and analyzed using ANOVA followed by LSD test at 5% significance level. The results showed that increasing drought duration significantly affected soil moisture, leaf temperature, and plant growth parameters. Mild drought stress (4 days) still supported optimal growth, while prolonged drought (12–16 days) led to a significant reduction in leaf area, biomass, and overall plant performance. Conversely, root length increased under severe drought conditions, indicating an adaptive response to water deficit. Despite its tolerance, chaya exhibited optimal growth under adequate water availability or mild drought conditions.In conclusion, chaya demonstrates adaptive morphological strategies under drought stress; however, prolonged water deficit negatively impacts its growth and biomass production. These findings highlight the importance of proper water management to optimize chaya cultivation under changing climatic conditions.