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The growth and development of cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata) under tropical field conditions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

E. J. Littleton ,
M. D. Dennett ,
J. Elston  and
J. L. Monteith
E. J. Littleton
Affiliation:
International Institute for Tropical Agriculture, P.M.B. 5320, Ibadan, Nigeria
M. D. Dennett
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Botany, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading
J. Elston
Affiliation:
Department of Plant Science, University of Leeds
J. L. Monteith
Affiliation:
Department of Physiology and Environmental Studies, University of Nottingham School of Agriculture, Loughborough
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Summary

The CO2 exchange of leaves, pods and peduncles was measured in cowpea crops grown at Ibadan, Nigeria, using a portable infra-red gas analysis system. Most leaves had maximum rates of photosynthesis (Pm) of about 1·4 mg CO2/m2/sec and maintained this value for 20 days from full expansion. Early leaves had slightly slower rates. Pm decreased when leaf temperature exceeded 35 °C. The maximum efficiency of photosynthesis, ɛm, was about 2 g CO2/E (0·045 mol CO2/E). ɛmdecreased with temperature for leaves, but increased for pods. The latter response probably results from the effect of the high CO2 concentrations within the pod on the ribulose disphosphate carboxylation reaction. Water shortage reduced Pm but not ɛm. Pods and peduncles had a slightly negative CO2 exchange rate at light saturation but this was considerably less than the rate of CO2 evolution in the dark.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 97 , Issue 3 , December 1981 , pp. 539 - 550
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1981

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