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Crop and Pasture Science Crop and Pasture Science Society
Plant sciences, sustainable farming systems and food quality
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Effects of severity and repetition of water stress on seed production of Macroptilium atropurpureum cv. Siratro

L Kowithayakorn and LR Humphreys

Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 38(3) 529 - 536
Published: 1987

Abstract

Macroptilium atropurpureum cv. Siratro was grown in large soil beds in a glasshouse with a water table at constant height below. Water stresses of dawn leaf water potential of - 1.0 MPa (medium stress) or of - 1.5 MPa (severe stress) were developed over 14 or 28 days, either singly or repeated after 42 days of rewatering. These stresses caused some death of terminal shoots and abscission of old leaves, but rapid rates of leaf differentiation restored leaf density to the levels of the control plants upon rewatering. A subsidiary experiment showed lower levels of leaf water potential in young leaves near the apex than in leaves subtending inflorescences.Persistent increases in the rate of floral bud appearance occurred upon rewatering, but the ratio of floral buds surviving to form an inflorescence with flowers was reduced both during and after the imposition of stress. A single cycle of medium stress increased seed yield 36% relative to the control plants, due to increased inflorescence and flower density. Repetition of water stress after 42 days was disadvantageous, and the effects of longer intervals between stress merit investigation. Severe stress of - 1.5 MPa was not beneficial to seed production.

https://doi.org/10.1071/AR9870529

© CSIRO 1987

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