Published online by Cambridge University Press: 03 October 2008
The pressure-chamber technique has been used for the first time to measure leaf-water potentials in chickpea under field conditions. Available soil-water contents at different depths for irrigated and non-irrigated crops are presented along with the diurnal variation in leaf-water status, to show that pressure-chamber measurements correspond closely with available soil water. Leaf-water potential has also shown differences in leaf-water status among different cultivars. The rapidity and ease with which measurements can be made in the field make the technique suitable for quick measurements of leaf-water status for chickpea.