The effect of several levels of drought stress on the growth of curly chili plants (Capsicum annum L.) in the early generative phase

Abstract Water stress disrupts plant growth, especially chili plants. Water can also cause reduced photosynthesis results and disrupted absorption of mineral ions from the soil. Water stress significantly reduces leaf photosynthesis, shortens the duration of photosynthesis, and accelerates aging, thus inhibiting the growth of stems, leaves, and plant yields. This study aims to determine the response of several watering levels to the growth, morphology, and physiology of curly chili plants in the vegetative phase. This study was arranged using a Completely Randomized Design consisting of 6 levels of soil moisture content, namely: 100% field capacity, 80% field capacity, 50% field capacity, 25% field capacity, 50% Field capacity + cow urine Liquid Organic Fertilizer (cow urine LOF), and 50% Field capacity + fertilizer. The results showed that giving 50% of field capacity water reduced plant growth. The reduced plant growth can be seen from the decrease in plant height, number of leaves, length, and width of leaves, and the wet weight of the stem. Leaf proline content increased with decreasing water level, but chlorophyll content did not differ significantly between treatments. The addition of cow urine fertilizer and amiboost fertilizer to plants watered with 50% Field Capacity has not been able to increase plant growth.