Summary
A comparative study of photosynthetic response to soil moisture was conducted with soybean varieties (Harosoy, Norin No. 1 and Hogyoku). When the plants were grown in May before the rainy season under a high radiation level, per unit leaf area the photosynthetic rate of Harosoy leaves was significantly higher throughout the entire range of soil water potentials and leaf water potentials than that of Norin No. 1 leaves. The high photosynthetic rate of Harosoy under non-stress conditionsaand mild water stress was associated with both the high specific leaf weight and the high leaf areal nitrogen content. The photosynthetic response of the Harosoy leaves developed during rainy season under a low radiation level, however, was similar to that of Norin No. 1; no significant difference was observed between these two varieties in the specific leaf weight and in the leaf areal nitrogen content.
On the other hand, Hogyoku cultivated especially along the footpaths between the paddy field was very sensitive to water stress, closing the stomata at higher soil water potentials. Under non-stress conditions, as compared with per unit leaf nitrogen content, however, Hogyoku performed higher leaf photosynthesis even with a thinner leaf than Harosoy.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Björkman, O., N. K., Boardman, Jan M., Anderson, S. W., Thorne, D. J., Goodchild & N. A., Pyliotis, 1972. Effect of light intensity during growth of Atriplex patura on the capacity of photosynthetic reactions, chloroplast components and structure. Carnegie Inst. Wash. Yearb. 71: 115–135.
Boardman, N. K., 1977. Comparative photosynthesis of sun and shade plants. Ann. Rev. Plant Physiol. 28: 355–377.
Boyer, J. S., 1971. Resistance to water transport in soybean, bean and sunflower. Crop Sci. 11: 403–407.
Dornhoff, G. M. & R. M., Shibles, 1970. Varietal differences in net photosynthesis of soybean leaves. Crop Sci. 10: 42–45.
Dornhoff, G. M. & R. M., Shibles, 1976. Leaf morphology and anatomy in relation to CO2-exchange rate of soybean leaves. Crop Sci. 16: 377–381.
Gaastra, P., 1959. Photosynthesis of crop plants as influenced by light, carbon dioxide, temperature and stomatal diffusion resistance. Meded. Landbouwhogesch. Wageningen. 59: 1–68.
Kishitani, S. & S., Tsunoda, 1981. Physiological aspects of domestication in diploid wheat. Euphytica 30: 247–252.
Ludlow, M. M. & G. L., Wilson, 1971. Photosynthesis of tropical pasture plants. II. Temperature and illuminance history. Aust. J. biol. Sci. 24: 1065–1075.
Nobel, P. S., L. J., Zaragoza & W. K., Smith, 1975. Relation between mesophyll surface area, photosynthetic rate, and illumination level during development for leaves of Plectranthus parviflorus Henckel. Plant Physiol. 55: 1067–1070.
Ojima, M. & R., Kawashima, 1968a. Studies on the seed production of soybean. 5. Varietal differences in photosynthetic rate of soybean. Proc. Crop Sci. Soc. Japan 37: 667–675.
Ojima, M. & R., Kawashima, 1968b. Studies on the seed production of soybean. 6. Relationship between the activity of photosynthesis of improved varieties and that of the parent ones. Proc. Crop Sci. Soc. Japan 37: 676–679.
Tsunoda, S., 1972. Photosynthetic efficiency in rice and wheat. p. 471–482. In; Rice Breeding. IRRI, Los Banos, Philippines.
Tsunoda, S., 1978. Adaptive differentiation in photosynthetic properties in wheat. Proc. 5th Int. Wheat Genetics Symposium: 916–922.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kishitani, S., Tsunoda, S. Leaf thickness and response of leaf photosynthesis to water stress in soybean varieties. Euphytica 31, 657–664 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00039204
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00039204