Changing growth conditions, such that the plants receive sufficient water, will lead to
dramatic gains in root starch content, as the plant presumably adjusts physiologically to the changing conditions.
The plants form new leaves rapidly after being released from the initial stress. Depriving plants of water during the late development stages does not lead to the severe reduction in root starch content seen in plants subjected to initial
water stress.
Starch content decreases during the period of rain following the late drought period.
This response typifies both crops.
Following removal of the stress condition plants of the second crop synthesized increasing amounts of starch, the content being maximal during the late water stress
at 10 months (except R5) and remaining constant thereafter.
Similarly, for the crop without initial water stress starch content was maximal at 8
months, coinciding with the late drought period.
For the remainder of the trial starch content decreased continuously, the reduction being triggered by the onset of the rainy season.