Research Article Open Access

Stomatal Resistance to Low Leaf Water Potential at Different Growth Stages Affects Plant Biomass in Glycine max L.

F.B. Adejare1 and C.E. Umebese1
  • 1 Department of Botany and Microbiology, University of Lagos, P. M. B. 1029 Unilag Post Office Akoka-Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

Two cultivars of Glycine max (L) Merril. (TGX536-02D and TGX 923-2E designated cv.A and cv.B respectively), were subjected to water stress for a period of 7 days at the vegetative (T2), flowering/fruiting (T3) and seed development (T4) stages of growth, with a control (T1). Stress was considered moderate at T2 stage (ψw : -1.53 to -1.57 MPa) and severe at T3and T4 stages (ψw : -2.23 to -2.67 MPa). Leaf water potential (ψw) and relative water content (RWC) were significantly reduced (p<0.01) by the stress treatment at all stages of growth and a strong positive correlation (r = 0.79 to 0.95) was found between them. Cv.A showed greater sensitivity to water stress by having lower RWC and leaf ψw values than cv.B with similar treatments. Cv.B had higher abaxial resistance (Rs) than cv.A at the T3 and T4 stages and higher adaxial Rs at the T2 and T3 stages of growth. The lower Rs of cv.A at the T3 and T4 stages resulted in lower tolerance to water stress than cv.B as shown by the significant reduction (p<0.05) in the biomass of T3 and T4 plants. Furthermore, T3 and T4 plants of cv.B showed leaf area adjustments. Hence, cv.B is better adapted to stress at the reproductive stage than cv.A.

American Journal of Agricultural and Biological Sciences
Volume 2 No. 3, 2007, 136-141

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3844/ajabssp.2007.136.141

Submitted On: 5 May 2007 Published On: 30 September 2007

How to Cite: Adejare, F. & Umebese, C. (2007). Stomatal Resistance to Low Leaf Water Potential at Different Growth Stages Affects Plant Biomass in Glycine max L.. American Journal of Agricultural and Biological Sciences, 2(3), 136-141. https://doi.org/10.3844/ajabssp.2007.136.141

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Keywords

  • Water stress
  • stomatal resistance
  • biomass
  • soybean