Agronomic and Physiological Responses of Soybean and Sorghum Crops to Water Deficits. IV. Photosynthesis, Transpiration and Water Use Efficiency in Leaves

Abstract

Detailed diurnal measurements of photosynthesis, transpiration and water use efficiency of leaves of sorghum and soybean were made during the reproductive growth of field plants. Photosynthesis was measured mainly by infrared gas techniques. The indication in well watered plants was that diurnal net carbon fixation per unit area of sorghum leaves was some 2.3 times greater than that of comparably illuminated soybean leaves while concurrent transpiration losses were less. Simple carbon budgets for the two crops over 24 h suggested that the assimilation by a leaf area equivalent to that of the flag leaf was required solely to sustain respiration by the sorghum head during mid- grain filling, while approximately 5 cm² of leaf was required to sustain respiration of each soybean pod.

The comparisons made on a diurnal basis between plants of soybean exposed to different water deficits during grain filling demonstrated the increasing importance of early morning and late afternoon photosynthesis as water became less available. They also showed the rapidity with which plants can recover from stress once water is supplied. It is calculated that, for continuously clear conditions, as daily minimum leaf water potential fell from - 1 .5 to - 2.5 MPa, the integrated daily assimilation by leaves was reduced by about 9 % for every 0.1 MPa change; soybean leaves were not measured at leaf water potentials much below - 2.6 MPa. A ratio between gas phase and residual resistances remained relatively stable over the range of leaf water potential measured. However, the water use efficiency of single leaves was reduced with increasing soil water deficits because of changes in leaf temperature and leaf-to-air vapour pressure differences.