Assessing drought tolerance of snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) from genotypic differences in leaf water relations, shoot growth and photosynthetic parameters

• Published in: Plant production science 2007-01, Vol.10 (1), p.28-35
• Main Authors: Omae, H.(Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences, Ishigaki, Okinawa. Okinawa Subtropical Station), Kumar, A, Kashiwaba, K, Shono, M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Biological and medical sciences; BROTES; Carbon dioxide; CRECIMIENTO; CROISSANCE; Cultivars; DROUGHT RESISTANCE; Drought tolerance; FEUILLE; FOTOSINTESIS; FRIJOL (PHASEOLUS); Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agronomy. Plant production; Generalities. Genetics. Plant material; Genetic resources, diversity; Genetics and breeding of economic plants; GROWTH; HARICOT COMMUN; HOJAS; Irrigation water; KIDNEY BEANS; Leaf water status; LEAVES; Moisture content; PHASEOLUS VULGARIS; PHOTOSYNTHESE; PHOTOSYNTHESIS; Photosynthetic parameters; Plant material; PLANT WATER RELATIONS; Plants; POUSSE; RELACIONES PLANTA AGUA; RELATION PLANTE EAU; RESISTANCE A LA SECHERESSE; RESISTENCIA A LA SEQUIA; Shoot growth; SHOOTS; Snap bean; Soil water; Stomatal conductance; Water content; Water deficit; Water potential; Water relations
• ISSN: 1343-943X; 1349-1008
• DOI: 10.1626/pps.10.28

The Leaf Water Relations, Photosynthetic Parameters and Shoot Growth of Five Snap Bean Cultivars Were Assessed During The Drought Period To Determine Their Role In Alleviating Plant Water Deficit Imposed By Withholding Irrigation At Flowering. Soil Water Content of Irrigated Plants Was 18-20% While That of Unirrigated Plants Was 6-10% At 60 Days After Seeding (Das). Leaf Water Potential Was Approximately 0.15Mpa Lower and Relative Water Content Was Approximately 5% Lower In Unirrigated Plants Than In Irrigated Plants At 57 Das. Unirrigated Plants Had A Lower Stomatal Conductance (G s ) and Intercellular Co 2 Concentration (C i ). Reduced Leaf Water Potential and Relative Water Content Were Associated With A Decreased Stem Elongation Rate. Plants With A Lower Stem Elongation Rate Had A Higher Specific Leaf Weight and Succulence Index (Suci). Significant Differences Among Five Cultivars of Snap Bean Were Found For All Parameters Measured. Decreased Leaf Water Potential and Stem Elongation Rate Resulting From Drought Participated In Preserving Relative Water Content and Improving Specific Leaf Weight and Suci. Maintenance of Higher Relative Water Content Increased G s and C i . Cultivars That Maintained A High Relative Water Content When Leaf Water Potential and Stem Elongation Rate Were Decreased Markedly, Were More Tolerant To Drought Than Those Which A Reduced Relative Water Content and The Leaf Water Potential and Stem Elongation Rate Were Only Slightly Lowered. Reduced Yield (Pods Per Plant and Seed Biomass) Resulting From Drought Was Associated With Reduced Relative Water Content.