Impact of Water Stress on Morphological Traits of Henna (Lawsonia inermis L.) in Arid Conditions in Shahdad

ABSTRACT Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of water stress on the morphology of Lawsonia inermis L. (henna) plants, specifically in the arid region of Shahdad, where severe drought conditions are prevalent. Methods: A four-month experiment was conducted in a personal greenhouse in Shahdad, where henna plants were subjected to three different irrigation regimes: full field capacity (control, T0), 50% of the control (moderate stress, T1), and 25% of the control (severe water scarcity, T2). Morphological parameters, including leaf area (LA), leaf number, and stem length, were measured to assess the impact of varying water availability. Results: The results indicated a decrease in leaf area, leaf number, and stem length in henna plants under drought stress conditions. Moderate drought stress (T1) did not significantly impair plant morphology and exhibited better growth compared to the control (T0). However, severe water scarcity (T2) led to a significant reduction in total leaf number and LA, with a 65.79% decrease in LA after 60 days of measurement and a 44% reduction in stem length. The responses to water stress were found to be both time and intensity-dependent. Conclusions: This research provides valuable insights into the morphological responses of henna plants to varying levels of water stress, highlighting the resilience of henna under moderate drought conditions and the detrimental effects of severe water scarcity. The findings contribute to understanding how henna cultivation can be managed in arid regions facing water limitations.Bottom of Form