| dc.description.abstract | A study was conducted during dry periods of 1987 and
1988 at the University of Nairobi"s faculty of Agriculture
farm, Kabete to investigate effects of soil moisture deficits
on plant water status, photosynthesis, transpiration, stomatal
conductance and biomass accumulation of two bean cultivars.
The cultivars " Mwezi moja" and'" Rose coco" GLP-I004 and
GLP-2 respectively) have been recommended for growing in low
and high rainfall areas of Kenya respectively. Watering
treatments were imposed during flowering and pod filling
stages using a line source sprinkler irrigation system.
Photosynthesis was measured using infrared gas analyser system
which also monitored stomatal conductance and transpiration
rat.e concu'rrently. Leaf water potential was used as a inde>:of
plant water status and was measured using a pressure chamber.
Results showed that although "Mwezi moja" generally had
lower leaf water potential than "Rose coco", its stomatal
conductance ,transpiration rate and net photosynthetic rate
were consistently higher. It also outyielded Rose coco in all
the watering levels having more pods per plant and seeds per
pod. This study indicated that there were differences in the
two varieties in their response to water stress. If such
differences were to be true for other cultivars not included
in this study, they could be used in developing beans more
adapted to marginal rainfall areas. | en |
