Transpiration efficiency and relative water content of eight alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cultivars under mild water stress condition

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Shahid Bahonar University, Kerman

Abstract

Two pot experiments were conducted under a shelter in order to compare transpiration efficiency and relative water content of eight alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cultivars. Pots were made of 80 cm long P.V.C. tubes with 10 cm in diameter. During the experiment, plants were harvested five times and each time pots were weighted and the amount of water used and dry matter produced were recorded. During a period of two weeks without irrigation, leaf samples were taken every 3 days and relative water content was measured. Cultivars used different amount of water and produced different amount of dry matter in each growth period. However, differences were not significant at whole growth period. Cultivars Hamedani and Diabloverde which showed the highest values of transpiration efficiency also had the highest values of relative water content at 65% soil water content, while Sequel and Yazdi had the lowest values. Cultivars with highest values of transpiration efficiency are suggested to be better for cultivation under mild water stress conditions.

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References

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Iranian Journal of Rangelands and Forests Plant Breeding and Genetic Research
Volume 14, Issue 3 - Serial Number 25
November 2006
Pages 128-137

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