Recovery Strategy Following the Imposition of Episodic Soil Moisture Deficit in Stands of Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) |
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| Authors: | M A Awal & T Ikeda |
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| Institution: | Laboratory of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Niigata University, Niigata-shi 950-2181, Japan |
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| Abstract: | Peanut stands often face water deficits in the tropics and subtropics, especially in drought-prone areas of India. The effect of drought on peanut production has previously been studied. However, there is a lack of information on the post-stress recovery mechanism. The objective of this study was to investigate the recovery mechanism after relief of water stress. The effect of short-term drought applied (for 12 days) at the pre-flowering, peak flowering and pod-filling stages on chlorophyll (Chl) pigments, water use efficiency (Wue), quantum yield (Qy), root/shoot ratio (R:S), relative growth rate (RGR), net assimilation rate (NAR) and flower production during stress and subsequent post-stress recovery was examined. The leaf water potential (ψleaf) and leaf relative water content (RWC) in plants subjected to water deficit were reduced to 1/10 and 2/3, respectively, of the corresponding control values. Moisture deficit significantly reduced Chl a and b concentrations, the Chl a/b ratio, stomatal conductance, photosynthesis, Wue and Qy. However, a strong recovery of these traits was noted after rewatering, which led to onset of fresh growth on post-stress, with a marked increase in RGR and NAR and a flush of flowering. Drought significantly enhanced R:S, which accelerated post-stress recovery. Peanut stands exhibited excellent ecophysiological recovery with the post-stress onset of fresh growth. This strong recovery mechanism found in peanut stands suggests that peanut has high environmental plasticity. |
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| Keywords: | chlorophyll content growth rate root/shoot ratio soil moisture deficit stress recovery |
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