Abstract

Water is one of the main factors that influence the growth and development of plants. Balsa (Ochroma pyramidale) is a fast-growing tropical tree species with a great demand in the international market. The influence of soil, water deficit on morphological, physiological, and the growth of Balsa (Ochroma pyramidale) with and without irrigation was investigated. For this study, four random repetitions were carried out in a randomized complete block design. The plants were irrigated regularly with furrow irrigation. The timing of irrigation was based on the soil, water potential, according to treatment criteria. All pots were irrigated at 15, 30, 45, 60 and 75 days. Genomic DNA of O. Pyramidale was identified by ERIC-PCR and RAPD, while phylogenetic tree was determined using the UPGMA method. The results showed that leave number, shoot number, stem elongation and stem diameter were affected significantly (P<0.05) between the plant without irrigation compared to control (with irrigation) during the days of assessment. Regarding stomata number, no significant differences (P> 0.05) were observed, while stomata length remained high (> 20 mu m) and stomata diameter was decreased during evaluation days in plants without irrigation compared to control. DNA of eight plants isolated showed different band profiles. In conclusion, the parameters evaluated can be used as a measure of water stress, growers should be careful when using O. Pyramidale in both nursery and orchards where water scarcity is present.