Growth Characterization of Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) under Salinity and Drought Stresses at the Seedling Stage

This study aimed to assess the combined effects of salinity and drought stresses on the growth and physiology of sugarcane. The pot experiment was carried out in the Autumn cropping season of 2021 under the polyhouse conditions at the Vietnam National University of Agriculture. The experiment consisted of four treatments: non-stress treatment (control), drought stress, salt stress, and salt and drought stress (combined stress). Five weeks after transplanting, salt stress was applied first for four weeks and followed by drought stress for another two weeks. The results showed that under the impact of stresses, sugarcane growth was inhibited with decreases in plant height, number of leaves, Fv/Fm, SPAD, and the fresh and dry weights of roots and stems. The growth and physiology indicators were the lowest under the combined effects of salinity and drought stress.