Banana is the ‘queen of tropical fruits’ and is one of the oldest fruits known to mankind from pre-historic times. Today, it is the leading tropical fruit in the world market with a highly organized and developed industry. It is the fourth largest fruit crop in the world after grapes, citrus fruits and apples. Drought is an insidious hazard of nature. Although it has scores of definitions, it originates from a deficiency of precipitation over an extended period of time, usually a season or more.  This deficiency results in a water shortage for some activity, group, or environmental sector. Water deficit occurs when water potentials in the rhizosphere are sufficiently negative to reduce water availability to sub-optimal levels for plant growth and development. On a global basis, it is a major cause limiting productivity of agricultural systems and food production (Bray et al., 2000). Banana plant productivity is greatly affected by environmental stresses such as drought, water and cold. Plants respond and adopt to these stresses to survive under stress condition at the molecular and cellular levels as well as at the physiological and biochemical levels. Physiological responses to soil water deficit are the feature that is most likely to determine the response of the crop to irrigation. The banana plants are sensitivity to soil moisture stress is reflected in changes in reduced growth through reduced stomatal conductance and leaf size (Kallarackal et al., 1990) increased leaf senescence (Turner, 1998). Bananas (Musa spp.) rarely attain their full genetic potential for yield due to limitations imposed by water ultimately limiting the plants photosynthesis. Turner and Thomas (1998) reported that, the banana is sensitive to soil water deficits, expanding tissues such as emerging leaves and growing fruit are among the first to be affected. As soil begins to dry, stomata close and leaves remain highly hydrated, probably through root pressure. Productivity is affected because of the early closure of stomata. Turner and Thomas (1998) who showed measurements of leaf water potential using either the exuding xylem or relative leaf water content could not be reliably linked to plant functions such as stomatal movement, net photosynthesis or leaf folding. Water potential measured by the exuding latex method appeared the best for determining leaf water status, but even this shows a small change in plants experiencing soil water deficit (Thomas and Turner, 1998) supporting the hydrated status of banana leaves although the soil is dry. Understanding banana plant response to soil moisture deficit and higher expression of epicuticular wax content, proline and free amino acid content with lesser reduction in yield are of basic scientific interest and have potential application bananas (Musa spp). With a view to elicit information on these aspects, field and laboratory investigations were undertaken.

Result and discussion
Epi cuticular wax (ECW)
The time trend of ECW revealed an increasing trend from 3^rd to 7^th MAP declining towards harvest (Table 1). The main and sub-plot treatments differed significantly at all the growth stages. Between the main plots, M₂ recorded higher wax content of 6.91 µg cm² over M₁ (5.34 µg cm²) at 7^th MAP stage. Among the sub plot treatments, S₁ (9.87 µg cm²) was found to contain the highest ECW, followed by S₂ (9.55 µg cm²) and S₃ (9.44 µg cm²). The lesser wax content was observed in the treatment of S₁₂ with the value of 3.46 µg cm². All the interaction treatments of M at S and S at M differed significantly. The treatment M₁S₁ registered higher wax content of 8.43 µg cm² followed by M₁S₂ (8.11 µg cm²). However, a considerable increase in ECW could also be observed due to M2 and subplot treatments. M₂S₁, M₂S₂, M₂S₃ and M₂S₄ registered about 35 to 44 per cent increase, whereas all the other treatments recorded about 17 to 24 per cent increase over the interaction between M₁ and subplot treatments. 

Table 1 Effect of water stress on leaf Epicuticular wax (µg cm2) at different growth stages of banana cultivars in main crop

The plant cuticle and waxes have many important functions. They reduce the loss of water, reflect or attenuate radiation, form the basis of phyllosphere, protect plant tissues against penetration by fungi, bacteria and insects, as well as from mechanical damage (by wind, rain, soil particles etc.) reduce water retention on the plant surface, and provide a self-cleaning surface. The Epicuticular waxes (ECW) are composed of a mixture of chemical compounds such as hydrocarbons, primary alcohols and aldehydes (Jenks and Ashworth, 1999). Compositionally, the cuticle is characterized by two specific groups of lipid substances, insoluble polymeric cutins which constitute the backbone of the membrane called as cutin matrix and soluble waxes deposited on the outer surface as ECW and embedded within the cutin matrix as intracuticular wax (Baker and Allen, 1993). The cuticle plays a fundamental protective role against water loss, particularly when stomata are closed during water stress (Jenks and Ashworth, 1999). Shivasankar et al. (1993) reported that the level of ECW was higher in stress condition. In this  research study, the ECW content increased under stress conditions of about 40 per cent in tolerant cultivars like Karpuravalli, Karpuravalli × Pisang jajee, Saba and Sannachenkathali over control. The susceptible cultivars of Matti, Matti × Anaikomban, Matti × cultivar rose and Pisang jajee × Matti, registered only 15 to 20 per cent increase in ECW over control. It was also established that, when drought progressed, stomata got closed with higher deposition of ECW leading to decreased cuticular permeability of water loss and increasing the crop albedo (Blum, 1988). Premchandra et al. (1992) stated that the increase in cell membrane stability and ECW under water deficit conditions has been associated with drought tolerance. The cuticle plays a fundamental protective role against water loss, particularly when stomata are closed during water stress (Jenks and Ashworth, 1999).

Proline 
The proline content showed an increasing trend as the growth stage advanced upto 7^th MAP and declined towards harvest (Table 2). Between the treatments, M₂ had higher proline content of 98.3 µg/g than M₂ (79.4 µg/g) at 7^th MAP. Analyzing the effect of sub-plot treatments, S₁ recorded an increased proline accumulation of 98.4 µg/g. This treatment was followed by S₂ (97.8 µg/g) and S₃ (94.9 µg/g). The treatment, S₁₂ showed an lesser proline accumulation (87.5 µg/g) at 7^th MAP. The interaction effects of M at S and S at M revealed significant differences at all the stages of growth. The treatment M₂S₁ recorded the highest value of 116.5 µg/g followed by M₂S₂ (112.1 µg/g), M₂S₃ (109.2 µg/g) and M₂S₄ (108.7 µg/g) at 7^th MAP. The treatment M₂S₁₀, M₂S₁₀, M₂S₁₁ and M₂S₁₂ found to accumulate the proline at significantly lower level than the other treatments.

Table 2 Effect of water stress on proline (µg/g) at different growth stages of banana cultivars in main crop

Proline accumulation is an universal response of plants to various stresses. Proline acts as an osmolyte and helps the plants to maintain tissue water potential under all kinds of stresses. Proline, as an osmoprotectant, is largely confined to the cytoplasm and is mostly absent from the vacuole (Mc Neil et al., 1999). It plays a key role in the cytoplasm as a scavenger of free radicals as well as a mediator in osmotic adjustment and also increases the solubility of sparingly soluble proteins (Caplan et al., 1990; Saradhi et al., 1995). Shen et al. (1990) advocated that water stress enhanced the accumulation of proline in many plant species and it might function as a source of solute for intercellular osmotic adjustment under water stress. Stewart (1978) suggested that proline might severe as a storage compounds for reduced carbon and nitrogen during stress. Proline might regulate the osmotic balance of the cell thus relieving the negative effect of stress (Reddy et al., 2004). In the present study also, cultivars like Karpuravalli, Karpuravalli × Pisang jajee, Saba and Sannachenkathali had higher amount of proline accumulation particularly at 7^th MAP followed by Poovan, Ney Poovan, Anaikomban and Anaikomban × Pisang jajee than cultivars of Matti, Matti × Anaikomban, Matti × cultivar rose and Pisang jajee x Matti (Figure 1). These findings are further supported by the results of Ismail et al. (2004) in banana, which explained that the enhancement in free proline content could occur either due to ‘de novo’ synthesis of proline or breakdown of proline-rich protein or shift in metabolism. According to Karamanos et al. (1983), there are three main reasons for the accumulation of proline in stressed leaves. The first and main component for this accumulation is the stimulation of proline synthesis from glutamic acid. The second is an inhibition of proline oxidation to other soluble compounds, and the third an inhibition of protein synthesis. The metabolic conversion of glutamic acid to proline and thereafter to other products via oxidation occurs readily in turgid leaves of barley and is stimulated by higher levels of proline.

Figure 1 Effect of water stress on bunch weight (kg/bunch) at different growth stages of banana cultivars

Free Amino Acid (FAA)
Free amino acid (FAA) content of the leaf increased upto 7^th MAP with a decline towards harvest (Table 3). Main plot treatments of M₁ and M₂ differed significantly at all the growth stages, with significantly higher contents maintained by M₂ (12.3, 14.7, 16.2, 14.0 and 11.2 mg/g) throughout the growth periods than M₁ (9.4, 11.9, 12.5, 10.7 and 7.9 mg/g). All the sub-plot treatments also differed significantly. Among the sub plot treatments, S₁ recorded highest content of 19.2 mg/g, followed by S₂ (17.4 mg/g) and S₃ (17.3 mg/g) at 7^th MAP. Treatment S₁₂ (12.8 mg/g) followed by S₁₁ (13.1 mg/g) exhibited lesser content of FAA at same stage of growth. The interaction effects of M at S and S at M revealed significant differences at all the stages of growth. Among them, the treatment M₂S₁, M₂S₂, M₂S₃, and M₂S₄ registered the highest content of FAA (21.0, 19.0, 18.9 and 14.4 mg/g) over the M₁ and subplot treatments. However, a considerable increase in FAA activity could also be observed due to interaction with M₂ and subplot treatments. M₂S₁, M₂S₂, M₂S₃, and M₂S₄ registered about 40 to 45 per cent increase. Other interactive treatments such as M₂S₅, M₂S₆, M₂S₇, and M₂S₈ showed about 25~30 per cent increase, whereas, M₂S₉, M₂S₁₀, M₂S₁₁ and M₂S₁₂ exhibited lesser content of FAA (18 ~ 20 per cent) than M₁ and subplot treatments.

Table 3 Effect of water stress on free amino acid (mg/g) at different growth stages of banana cultivars in main crop

Accumulation of free amino acids is also significant under water stress and may be due to induced hydrolysis of proteins as reported in crops like Arachis hypogeae and Vicia faba (Purushotham et al., 1998; EITayab, 2006). Jones et al. (1981) demonstrated the contribution of solutes in the osmotic adjustment during moderate stress levels than severe stress level. As observed in the present studies, cultivars of Karpuravalli, Karpuravalli × Pisang jajee, Saba and Sannachenkathali registered 22 per cent increase in FAA content than the control. These findings are in accordance with Stewart and Larher (1980) found an accumulation of free amino acids in the presence of water deficit leading to a dynamic adjustment of nitrogen metabolism. The increase in free amino acids could contribute to the tolerance of the plant to water deficit through an increase in osmotic potential or as a reserve of nitrogen principally for the synthesis of specific enzymes (Navari-Izzo et al., 1990). Kraus et al., (1995) reported that increased accumulation of FAA during stress conditions could be an indicator of the adaptive nature of the coconut palms to cope up with the adverse conditions during summer months. Once water deficit is established, the level of free amino acids in plants increased under moderate stress and severe stress conditions (Jones et al., 1981). The increase in aspatate, glutamate, proline, alanine and valine compound due to increase in free amino acids content in stressed leaves could help maintain energy fluxes of the chloroplast (Ashraf, 2004).

Bunch weight (kg/bunch)
Bunch weight varied significantly among main as well as sub plot treatments. Comparing the two main plot treatments, M₁ recorded significantly higher mean bunch weight of 11.9 kg/bunch whereas M₂ recorded a mean value of 10.0 kg/bunch. All the sub plot treatments significantly influenced the bunch weight. Among them, S₁ registered the highest bunch weight of 22.0 kg/bunch, followed by S₃ (18.3 kg/bunch), S₅ (17.1 kg/bunch) and S₄ (13.5 kg/bunch). The lowest bunch weight was recorded by S12 (3.4 kg/bunch) followed by S₁₁ (3.5 kg/bunch). The interaction effects of M at S and S at M were also significant. Among the interaction treatments, M1S1 outperformed all the others by recording the highest bunch weight of 23.0 kg/bunch, however, as the result of interaction with M₂ the bunch weight was reduced to 21.0 kg/bunch with per cent reduction of 8.7. This treatment was followed by M₁S₃ (19.5 kg/bunch) with the reduction of 11.5 per cent when interacted with M₂ (17.0 kg/bunch). Similarly, M₁S₉, M₁S₁₀, M₁S₁₁ and M₁S₁₂ recorded the bunch weight of 12.0, 4.5, 4.0 and 4.0 kg/bunch with the reduction per cent of 24.6, 38.8, 26.2 and 31.2 when interacted with M₂. Bunch yield of banana is considered as the major contributing factor for the final plant yield, generally expressed in kg per bunch. In the present study, comparing bunch weight of all the twelve cultivars of banana as affected by water deficit, significant variations could be observed. The cultivars of Karpuravalli, Karpuravalli × Pisang jajee, Saba and Sannachenkathali produced the mean bunch weight of 17.5, 15.5, 14.5 and 14.5 kg/bunch followed by Poovan, Ney Poovan, Anaikomban and Anaikomban × Pisang jajee recording 14.0, 9.5, 6.0 and 5.5 kg/bunch, whereas Matti, Matti × Anaikomban, Matti × cultivar rose and Pisang jajee x Matti produced lower bunch yield of 4 to 4.5 kg/bunch due to water deficit. Besides these cultivar variations due to water deficit exhibited their significant inhibitory effect on bunch yield. The tolerant cultivars had lesser effect on bunch weight with the mean reduction of 25 per cent respectively over control. The susceptible cultivars were highly vulnerable to water deficit showing bunch weight reduction of 68 to 75 per cent over control. Similar to this study, Turner and Rosales (2005) noticed a reduction in bunch yield due to water deficit.

Materials and methods
The experiment was carried out at at national research centre for banana, Thiruchirapalli, during 2011~2012. The experiment consists of two treatments as considered as main plot and twelve cultivars and hybrids as taken as sub plots were laid out in split plot design with three replications. The main plots are, M₁ (control) with the soil pressure maintained from -0.69 to -6.00 bar, M₂ (water deficit) with the Soil pressure maintained from -0.69 to -14.00 bar. Soil pressure of -14.00 bar was reached at 30 days and measured by using soil moisture release curve and measured the soil moisture by using the pressure plate membrane apparatus (Figure 1) .The sub plots are, S₁: Karpuravalli (ABB), S₂: Karpuravalli × Pisang Jajee, S₃: Saba (ABB), S₄: Sanna Chenkathali (AA), S₅: Poovan (AAB), S₆: Ney poovan (AB), S₇: Anaikomban (AA), S₈: Matti × Cultivar Rose, S₉: Matti (AA), S₁₀: Pisang Jajee × Matti, S₁₁: Matti ×Anaikomban and S₁₂: Anaikomban × Pisang Jajee. The epicuticular wax content, proline and free amino acid content were recorded during 3^rd, 5^th, 7^th, 9^th month after planting and at harvest stages of the crop. The yield were assessed at the time of harvesting. Epicuticular wax (ECW) content by the method of Ebercon et al. (1977) and expressed as mg/g dry weight, Proline content were estimated in physiologically active leaves as per the procedure of Bates et al. (1973) and expressed as µg/g of fresh weight and Free amino acid content were recorded by using the procedure of Mishra and Dhillon (1981) and expressed as µg/g during 3^rd, 5^th, 7^th, 9^th month after planting and at harvest stages of the crop.

Acknowledgement
The authors are grateful to the Director, National Research Center for Banana (ICAR), Thiruchirapalli for providing the necessary facility to carry out this research work.

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