Articles
DOI DOI: 10.62441/actainnovations.v63i.1091

DROUGHT STRESS EFFECTS ON VITAMIN C AND A CONTENT IN LEAVES AND FLOWERS OF GOMPHRENA GLOBOSA L. PURPLE PHENOTYPE

Anak Agung Gede Sugiarta1, Rindang Dwiyani2, I Made Basma Redana3
  1. 1 Ecophysiologichal of Laboratory, Studi program of Agroecotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Udayana University, Indonesia, 80234.
  2. 2 Master’s Program in Agroecotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Udayana University, Indonesia.
  3. 3 Master’s Program in Agroecotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Udayana University, Indonesia.

Abstract

Drought stress is a major abiotic factor affecting plant growth and nutritional quality, particularly under water-limited conditions. Gomphrena globosa L. (ratna flower) is an ornamental plant with potential nutritional value due to its vitamin-rich leaves and flowers; however, information regarding its vitamin responses to drought stress remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of drought stress on growth characteristics and vitamin C and vitamin A (β-carotene) contents in the leaves and flowers of the purple phenotype of Gomphrena globosa L. The experiment was conducted in a Paranet House at the Experimental Garden of the Faculty of Agriculture, Udayana University, Bali, from February to November 2024. Plants were subjected to two soil moisture levels: 100% field capacity (control) and 40% field capacity (drought stress), arranged in a completely randomized design. Growth parameters were measured, and leaf and flower samples were collected at full flowering for vitamin analysis. Vitamin C and vitamin A contents were determined using UV–Vis spectrophotometry. Linear regression analysis was applied to evaluate the relationship between concentration and absorbance. Drought stress significantly reduced plant height, leaf greenness, flower size, and root development. Vitamin C content decreased under drought stress in both leaves (278.37 mg/100 g) and flowers (253.08 mg/100 g) compared with the control (342.72 and 294.03 mg/100 g, respectively). In contrast, vitamin A showed an organ-specific response: β-carotene content increased in drought-stressed leaves (7.21 mg/100 g) relative to control leaves (5.83 mg/100 g), but decreased in flowers (0.79 mg/100 g under drought versus 1.91 mg/100 g in the control). Linear regression analysis showed excellent linearity, with coefficients of determination (R²) of 0.992 for vitamin C and 0.9989 for vitamin A. These findings indicate that drought stress differentially affects vitamin accumulation in vegetative and reproductive organs of Gomphrena globosa L. and highlight its nutritional plasticity under water-limited conditions, supporting its potential use in organic farming systems facing increasing drought risk.

How to Cite

Sugiarta, A. A. G., Dwiyani, R., & Redana, I. M. B. (2026). DROUGHT STRESS EFFECTS ON VITAMIN C AND A CONTENT IN LEAVES AND FLOWERS OF GOMPHRENA GLOBOSA L. PURPLE PHENOTYPE. ACTA INNOVATIONS, 63, 191–203. https://doi.org/10.62441/actainnovations.v63i.1091
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