Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment
Genotypic differences in stomatal conductance and relative water content of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan [L.] Millsp.)
Author(s):
John Bob Ochanda Ogola *,
Rofhiwa NethananiRecieved Date: 2013-07-11, Accepted Date: 2013-10-20
Abstract:Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) is not widely grown in South Africa but is becoming increasingly important in smallholder farming systems partly because of its drought tolerance. This study aimed at evaluating genotypic variation in stomatal conductance and relative water content of pigeonpea in a dry environment in north-eastern part of South Africa. A field experiment was conducted during summer 2009/2010 involving seven pigeonpea genotypes laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Stomatal conductance (mmol m-2 s-1) was measured on the uppermost fully expanded leaves on clear sunny days at both the vegetative and reproductive stages of growth, and relative water content, RWC (%) was determined at flowering which was about 75 days after emergence (DAE) and at podding (100 DAE) using the standard procedure. There were genotypic variations in stomatal conductance of both leaf surfaces at all measurement dates. Stomatal conductance of the lower leaf surface was greater compared with the upper leaf surface at all measurement dates. Also, there was diurnal variation in stomatal conductance of lower and upper leaf surface at 75 DAE. RWC varied from 45% in genotype Acc-PG-2/09 to 67% (Acc-PG-7/09) at flowering, and from 54% (Acc-PG-2/09) to 69% (Acc-PG-1/09) at podding. RWC appeared to have a positive, albeit non-significant, linear relationship with stomatal conductance of the lower leaf surface at podding stage. Clearly, this study shows the existence of genetic diversity in stomatal conductance and RWC that may be useful in pigeonpea improvement programs. However, further studies, incorporating different watering regimes are recommended.
Keywords:Diurnal variation,
genotype, lower leaf surface, pigeonpea, porometer, relative water content, small-holder systems, stomatal conductance, upper leaf surfaceJournal: Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment
Year: 2013
Volume: 11
Issue: 3&4
Category: Environment
Pages: 2712-2716
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