MORPHOLOGICAL RESPONSE

Amaranthus hybridus , a significant crop in arid and semi-arid regions, faces substantial challenges due to drought stress. This study investigates the morphological responses of A. hybridus to waterlimited conditions. The research involved controlled experiments where plants were subjected to different treatments (40mg/l, 200mg/l, 360mg/l, 17.61mg/l, 88.06mg/l, 176.12mg/l) and growth regulators (SA and AA). Morphological traits such as plant height, stem girth, root length, and weight of seed, number of leaves were meticulously measured and analyzed. The results revealed significant increase in plant height, number of leaves and weight of seed under drought stress, indicating a strategy to minimize water loss. In contrast, root development showed an increase, suggesting an adaptive response to enhance water uptake from deeper soil layers. These morphological adaptations demonstrate the plant's resilience and ability to survive in drought environments. The findings underscore the importance of understanding these responses for improving drought tolerance in A. hybridus, thereby enhancing its productivity in water-scarce regions.