Abstract
ABSTRACT Response of clusterbean [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.] to phosphorus (P) application (0 and 40 kg ha−1) under different intensities of water stress at the critical pre-flowering stage was studied in a pot trial by withholding irrigation for 0, 3, 6, and 9 days. Increasing stress intensity progressively decreased plant water potential (Ψplant), relative water content, levels of different leaf metabolites, photosynthetic rate, and nitrate reductase activity under both phosphorus (P) treatments. However, P-fertilized plants displayed higher photosynthetic efficiency, leaf metabolism, and enzyme activity than unfertilized plants, though decrease in plant water status was more in P-fertilized plants. Recovery upon rewatering was also more in P-fertilized than unfertilized plants with respect to all the parameters studied. Consequently, P application significantly enhanced dry matter and seed yields at all stress intensities. The results indicate the possibility of alleviation of water stress effects by P nutrition in clusterbean, at least up to moderate stress level.
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