Potassium Application Positively Modulates Physiological Responses of Cocoa Seedlings to Drought Stress

With increasing frequency and intensity of dry spells in the cocoa production zones West Africa, strategies for mitigating impact water stress on seedling survival are urgently required. We investigated effects applied potassium biomass accumulation, physiological processes varieties subjected to pot experiments a gauzehouse facility. Four levels (0, 1, 2, or 3 g/plant as muriate potash) were used. Soil reduced plant accumulation (shoot roots), relative content (RWC), chlorophyll fluorescence. Leaf phenol proline contents increased under stress. Additionally, compared well-watered conditions, soils treatments had higher exchangeable available phosphorus at end experimental period. Potassium conditions leaf fluorescence electrolyte leakage, but improved growth integrity functions soil addition partitioning roots, RWC membrane stability, significantly Under stress, variety with highest mortality accumulated proline. A significant effect was observed. Generally, PA 7 parentage roots better moisture Proportion partitioned RWC, leakage appear be most reliable indicators tolerance drought.