Analysis of the reducing sugar and carbohydrates total of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) resistant to drought stress

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is the third most important crop in the world and a staple food source throughout the tropics. Cassava land centers in Indonesia are controlled by Lampung Province. This situation makes Lampung a supplier of one-third of the national cassava production of the national production. However, there are still many production constraints in cassava cultivation, including drought stress. Drought stress is one of the main factors causing cassava plant death. So far, there is no drought-resistant cassava cultivar. The use of cassava seeds which are resistant to drought stress with high yields is expected to be an important alternative for drought stress control by using polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG 6000). The purpose of this study was to analyze the reducing sugar content and the total carbohydrate content of cassava plants which were effective and resistant to drought stress. This study used a completely randomized design with one factor, namely the concentration of PEG 6000 consisting of 5 levels 0%, 10%, 20%, 30% and 40%. The results showed that the higher the concentration of PEG 6000, the total dissolved carbohydrate content and reducing sugar content in cassava plants which were resistant to drought stress increased. The highest reducing sugar content and carbohydrate content were found in the treatment of 40% PEG 6000 concentration.