Soil water content and nitrogen differentially correlate with multidimensional leaf traits of two temperate broadleaf species

The variation and correlation of leaf economics and vein traits are crucial for predicting plant ecological strategies under different environmental changes.However,correlations between these two suites of traits and abiotic factors such as soil water and nitrogen content remain ambiguous.We measured leaf economics and vein traits as well as soil water and nitrogen content for two different shade-tolerant species(Betula platyphylla and Acer mono)in four mixed broadleaved-Korean pine(Pinus koraiensis)forests along a latitudinal gradient in Northeast China.We found that leaf economics traits and vein traits were decoupled in shade-intolerant species,Betula platphylla,but significantly coupled in a shadetolerant species,A.mono.We found stronger correlations among leaf traits in the shade tolerant species than in the shade intolerant species.Furthermore,leaf economic traits were positively correlated with the soil water gradient for both species,whereas vein traits were positively correlated with soil water gradient for the shade intolerant species but negatively correlated in the shade tolerant species.Although economic traits were positively correlated with soil nitrogen gradient in shade intolerant species but not correlated in shade tolerant species,vein traits were negatively correlated with soil nitrogen gradient in shade tolerant species but not correlated in shade intolerant species.Our study provides evidence for distinct correlations between leaf economics and vein traits and local abiotic factors of species differing in light demands.We recommend that the ecological significance of shade tolerance be considered for species when evaluating ecosystem functions and predicting plant responses to environmental changes.

Stomatal dynamics are regulated by leaf hydraulic traits and guard cell anatomy in nine true mangrove species

Stomatal regulation is critical for mangroves to survive in the hyper-saline intertidal zone where water stress is severe and water availability is highly fluctuant.However,very little is known about the stomatal sensitivity to vapour pressure deficit(VPD)in mangroves,and its co-ordination with stomatal morphology and leaf hydraulic traits.We measured the stomatal response to a step increase in VPD in situ,stomatal anatomy,leaf hydraulic vulnerability and pressure-volume traits in nine true mangrove species of five families and collected the data of genome size.We aimed to answer two questions:(1)Does stomatal morphology influence stomatal dynamics in response to a high VPD in mangroves?with a consideration of possible influence of genome size on stomatal morphology;and(2)do leaf hydraulic traits influence stomatal sensitivity to VPD in mangroves?We found that the stomata of mangrove plants were highly sensitive to a step rise in VPD and the stomatal responses were directly affected by stomatal anatomy and hydraulic traits.Smaller,denser stomata was correlated with faster stomatal closure at high VPD across the species of Rhizophoraceae,and stomata size negatively and vein density positively correlated with genome size.Less negative leaf osmotic pressure at the full turgor(πo)was related to higher operating steady-state stomatal conductance(gs);and a higher leaf capacitance(Cleaf)and more embolism resistant leaf xylem were associated with slower stomatal responses to an increase in VPD.In addition,stomatal responsiveness to VPD was indirectly affected by leaf morphological traits,which were affected by site salinity and consequently leaf water status.Our results demonstrate that mangroves display a unique relationship between genome size,stomatal size and vein packing,and that stomatal responsiveness to VPD is regulated by leaf hydraulic traits and stomatal morphology.Our work provides a quantitative framework to better understand of stomatal regulation in mangroves in an environment with high salinity and dynamic water availability.

Effects of Water Stress on Leaf Water and Chlorophyll Fluorescence Parameters of Sugarcane Seedling

[Objective] The aim was to explore the effects of water stress on leaf water and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of sugarcane seedling,as well as to provide basis for the study on sugarcane production and evaluation. [Method] Seven different sugarcane varieties were studied at the seedling stage under drought stress,and the changes of leaf water and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters under stress conditions were detected. [Result] leaf water potential,leaf relative water content and soil relative water content showed a certain amount of internal relationship,the sugarcane varieties that had more tolerant to drought had higher utilization rate of soil water; the correlation analysis and factor analysis suggested that the survival rate at seedling stage under drought stress,Fv/Fm,leaf water potential and relative water content could be used as drought resistance evaluation indicators. [Conclusion] As a relatively independent influencing factor,water potential had dominating effect on drought resistance,and the reliability of Fv/Fm as drought resistance evaluation indicator had been verified.

Effects of Periodical Soil Drying and Leaf Water Potential on the Sensitivity of Stomatal Response to Xylem ABA

The study on the changes of stomatal sensitivity in relation to xylem ABA during periodical soil drying and the effect of leaf water status on the stomatal sensitivity has confirmed that xylem ABA concentration is a good indicator of soil water status around roots and the relation between xylem ABA concentration and predawn leaf water potential remained constant during the three consecutive soil drying cycles based on the slopes of the fitted lines. The sensitivity of stomata to xylem ABA increased substantially as the soil drying cycles progressed, and the xylem ABA concentration needed to cause a 50% decrease of stomatal conductance was as low as 550 nmol/L in the next two soil drying cycle, as compared with the 750 nmol/L ABA in the first cycle of soil drying. The results using the split_root system showed that leaf water deficit significantly enhanced the stomatal response to xylem ABA and the xylem ABA concentration needed to cause a 50% decrease in stomatal conductance was 2 to 4 times smaller in the whole_root_drying treatment than those in the semi_root_drying treatment. These results suggested that the sensitivity of stomata to xylem ABA concentration is not a fixed characteristic.

Leaf Senescence Characteristics and Responses to Water Shortage of Different Hybrid Rice Cultivars during Grain Filling Stage

[Objective] The pattern of leaves senescence was studied to provide reference for the planting technology and breeding rice cultivars resistant to premature senescence. [Method] Six hybrid rice cultivars were cultivated under limited and conventional irrigation managements; after the heading of rice, the root activities, nitrogen content in leaves, chlorophyll content （SPAD value）, net photosynthetic rate and the activities of superoxide dismutase （SOD）, peroxidase （POD）, catalase （CAT） were determined. [Result] The rhythms in attenuation of xylem sap flow rate, leaf nitrogen content, chlorophyll content （SPAD value） and net photosynthetic rate of different rice cultivars were significantly different in attenuation starting time, attenuation frequency and attenuation range. Physiological indexes of different cultivars responded inconsistently to water shortage. Extremely significantly positive correlations were found between the decline rates of chlorophyll content and leaf nitrogen content and xylem sap flow rate of roots, the photosynthetic rate and chlorophyll content. The changes in activities of SOD, CAT and POD were different, and responded to water shortage differently in different cultivars. The change dynamic of leaf nitrogen content and chlorophyll content was positively related with the activity dynamic of SOD and CAT. The change dynamic of leaf nitrogen content and chlorophyll content was negatively related with the malondialdehyde （MDA） content. The difference in the attenuation rhythm of physiological indexes of leaves and response to water shortage of different hybrid rice cultivars were related to genotype difference. Increasing roots activities and protecting enzyme activities of leaves benefit to defer attenuation of chlorophyll content and nitrogen content of leaves and to keep stronger photosynthetic function. [Conclusion] The senescence resistance of rice is a combined result of genotype differences and physiological response to environment.

Effect of Soil Drought Stress on Leaf Water Status, Membrane Permeability and Enzymatic Antioxidant System of Maize

A simulation experiment on the responses of maize (Zea mays L.) from the third leaf stage to maturity for different soil water levels (well-watered, moderately stressed, and severely stressed) was conducted by controlling irrigation and using a mobile rain shelter in a neutral loam, meadow soil to determine the effects on leaf water status, membrane permeability and enzymatic antioxidant system for different growth stages. The results indicated that drought stress relied on drought intensity and duration, with more severe drought stress creating more serious effects on maize. Compared with well-watered conditions, during the silking and blister stages moderate stress did not significantly change the relative water content (RWC) and did change significantly the relative conductivity (RC) (P < 0.05) of the leaves; however, severe stress did significantly decrease (P < 0.01) the leaf RWC and increase (P < 0.01) membrane permeability (leaf relative conductivity). Furthermore, under severe drought stress antioxidant enzyme activities declined significantly (P < 0.01) in later stages, namely for superoxide dismutase (SOD) the tasseling and blister stages, for peroxidase (POD) the milk stage, and for catalase (CAT) during the tasseling, blister, and milk stages. Meanwhile, membrane lipid peroxidation (measured as malondialdehyde content) significantly increased (P < 0.01) in all stages.

A drought resistance index to select drought resistant plant species based on leaf water potential measurements

The water deficit in arid and semi-arid regions is the primary limiting factor for the development of urban greenery and forestation. In addition, planting the species that consume low levels of water is useful in arid and semi-arid regions that have poor water management measures. Leaf water potential(Ψ) is a physiological parameter that can be used to identify drought resistance in various species. Indeed, Ψ is one of the most important properties of a plant that can be measured using a pressure chamber. Drought avoiding or drought resistant species have a lower Ψ than plants that use normal or high levels of water. To determine drought resistance of species that are suitable for afforestation in arid urban regions, we evaluated twenty woody species in the Isfahan City, central Iran. The experimental design was random split-split plots with five replications. The species were planted outdoor in plastic pots and then subjected to treatments that consisted of two soil types and five drip irrigation regimes. To evaluate the resistance of each species to drought, we used the Ψ and the number of survived plants to obtain the drought resistance index(DRI). Then, cluster analysis, dendrogram, and similarity index were used to group the species using DRI. Result indicates that the evaluated species were classified into five groups:(1) high water consuming species(DRI>–60 MPa);(2) above normal water consuming species(–60 MPa≥DRI>–90 MPa);(3) normal water consuming species(–90 MPa≥DRI>–120 MPa);(4) semi-drought resistant species(–120 MPa≥DRI>–150 MPa);and(5) drought resistant species(DRI≤–150 MPa). According to the DRI, Salix babylonica L., Populus alba L., and P. nigra L. are high water consuming species, Platanus orientalis L. and Albizia julibrissin Benth are normal water consuming species, and Quercus infectoria Oliv. and Olea europaea L. can be considered as drought resistant species.

Statistical Analysis of Leaf Water Use Efficiency and Physiology Traits of Winter Wheat Under Drought Condition

Five statistical methods including simple correlation, multiple linear regression, stepwise regression, principal components, and path analysis were used to explore the relationship between leaf water use efficiency （WUE） and physiological traits （photosynthesis rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, intercellular CO2 concentration, etc.） of 29 wheat cultivars. The results showed that photosynthesis rate, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate were the most important leaf WUE parameters under drought condition. Based on the results of statistical analyses, principal component analysis could be the most suitable method to ascertain the relationship between leaf WUE and relative physiological traits. It is reasonable to assume that high leaf WUE wheat could be obtained by selecting breeding materials with high photosynthesis rate, low transpiration rate, and stomatal conductance under dry area.

Relationship of 2 100-2 300 nm Spectral Characteristics of Wheat Canopy to Leaf Area Index and Leaf N as Affected by Leaf Water Content

The effects of leaf water status in a wheat canopy on the accuracy of estimating leaf area index (LAI) and N were determined in this study using extracted spectral characteristics in the 2 000-2 300 nm region of the short wave infrared (SWI) band. A newly defined spectral index, relative adsorptive index in the 2000-2300 nm region (RAI2000-2300), which can be calculated by RAI2000-2300 = (R2224 - R2054) (R2224 + R2054)-1 with R being the reflectance at 2224 or 2054 nm, was utilized. This spectral index, RAI2000-2300, was significantly correlated (P < 0.01) with green LAI and leaf N concentration and proved to be potentially valuable for monitoring plant green LAI and leaf N at the field canopy scale. Moreover, plant LAI could be monitored more easily and more successfully than plant leaf N. The study also showed that leaf water had a strong masking effect on the 2 000-2 300 nm spectral characteristics and both the coefficient between RAI2000-2300 and green LAI and that between RAI2000-2300 and leaf N content decreased as leaf water content increased.

A Computer Program for Automatic Watering Based on Potential Evapotranspiration by Penman Method and Predicted Leaf Area in Miniature Pot Rose Production

In this study, we developed a computer program for automatic prediction of watering time point by considering the environmental factors such as solar radiation, air temperature and relative humidity based on the multiple linear regression equation of leaf area and Penman Method. The experiments were carried out for a year in two watering experimental plots, one of which was controlled by pF value, and the other by the computer program. After comparing the results of the two plots, the following findings were obtained. In the computer program plot, the observed and predicted values of both leaf area and evapotranspiration indicated significant correlation at the 1% level, which suggested that the computer program had high prediction accuracy. In addition, no significant difference was observed between the two experimental plots with respects to the plant height, plant diameter, leaf area, leaf number, fresh weight, and dry weight, which demonstrated that the plants in the computer program plot had normal growth. On the other hand, although the number of flower buds and flowering shoots showed higher values at the end of certain cultivations in the computer program plot than those in pF value plot, we proposed that it was due to the effect of cumulative daily solar radiation in the greenhouse, rather than the watering. Thus, we have reached the conclusion that the computer program for automatic prediction of watering time point developed by this study has high applicability in miniature pot rose production.

Rapid determination of leaf water content for monitoring waterlogging in winter wheat based on hyperspectral parameters

Waterlogging is becoming an obvious constraint on food production due to the frequent occurrence of extremely high-level rainfall events.Leaf water content(LWC)is an important waterlogging indicator,and hyperspectral remote sensing provides a non-destructive,real-time and reliable method to determine LWC.Thus,based on a pot experiment,winter wheat was subjected to different gradients of waterlogging stress at the jointing stage.Leaf hyperspectral data and LWC were collected every 7 days after waterlogging treatment until the winter wheat was mature.Combined with methods such as vegetation index construction,correlation analysis,regression analysis,BP neural network(BPNN),etc.,we found that the effect of waterlogging stress on LWC had the characteristics of hysteresis and all waterlogging stress led to the decrease of LWC.LWC decreased faster under severe stress than under slight stress,but the effect of long-term slight stress was greater than that of short-term severe stress.The sensitive spectral bands of LWC were located in the visible(VIS,400–780 nm)and short-wave infrared(SWIR,1400–2500 nm)regions.The BPNN Model with the original spectrum at 648 nm,the first derivative spectrum at 500 nm,the red edge position(λr),the new vegetation index RVI(437,466),NDVI(437,466)and NDVI´(747,1956)as independent variables was the best model for inverting the LWC of waterlogging in winter wheat(modeling set:R^(2)=0.889,RMSE=0.138;validation set:R^(2)=0.891,RMSE=0.518).These results have important theoretical significance and practical application value for the precise control of waterlogging stress.

Simulation-Guided Design of Bamboo Leaf-Derived Carbon-Based High-Efficiency Evaporator for Solar-Driven Interface Water Evaporation

Solar interface water evaporation has been demonstrated to be an advanced method for freshwater production with high solar energy utilization.The development of evaporators with lower cost and higher efficiency is a key challenge in the manufacture of practical solar interface water evaporation devices.Herein,a bamboo leaf-derived carbon-based evaporator is designed based on the light trace simulation.And then,it is manufactured by vertical arrangement and carbonization of bamboo leaves and subsequent polyacrylamide modification.The vertically arranged carbon structure can extend the light path and increase the light-absorbing area,thus achieving excellent light absorption.Furthermore,the continuous distribution of polyacrylamide hydrogel between these vertical carbons can support high-speed water delivery and shorten the evaporation path.Therefore,this evaporator exhibits an ultrahigh average light absorption rate of~96.1%,a good water evaporation rate of 1.75 kg m^(-2) h^(-1),and an excellent solar-to-vapor efficiency of 91.9%under one sun irradiation.Furthermore,the device based on this evaporator can effectively achieve seawater desalination,heavy metal ion removal,and dye separation while completing water evaporation.And this device is highly available for actual outdoor applications and repeated recycling.

Modulation of leaf conductance by root to shoot signaling under water stress in Arabidopsis

Signal communication between root and shoot plays a crucial role in plant resistance to water stress. While many studies on root to shoot signals have been carried out in many plant species, no information is available for the model plant, Arabidopsis, whose adoption has great significance for further probing the molecular aspects of long distance stress signals. Here, we introduced the es- tablishment of techniques for investigations of root to shoot signals in Arabidopsis. Stomata! movements in relation to root signals were probed by using these techniques. The results show that Arabidopsis is a suitable plant species for partial roots drying （PRD） experiments. In the PRD system, while no significant differences were found in leaf water potential between well-watered and stressed plants, water stress led to a decrease in leaf conductance, which suggests a regulation of stomatal movements by root to shoot signals. While water stress caused a significant increase in the concentration of sap abscisic acid （ABA） of xylem, no increase in xylem sap pH was observed. Moreover, the increase in the ABA content of xylem coincided with the decrease in leaf conductance, which suggests a possible role of ABA in the regulation of stomatal movements. Infrared temperature images showed that leaf tem- peratures of PRD plant were higher compared with those of well-watered plants, which further indicates that stomatal movements can be modulated by root signals. The confirmation of root to shoot signaling in Arabidopsis has established a basis for further inves- tigation into the molecular mechanisms of the root to shoot signaling under water stress.

The Stimulating Effects of Rewatering on Leaf Area of Winter Wheat Suffering Water Stress

After water stress at various levels and durations at different growth stages, rewatering could greatly stimulate the leaf area development of winter wheat. The results showed that the stimulation effect changed with water stress time, degree and duration. Rewatering under earlier stress had greater stimulation effect on leaf area than that under later stress. Higher stimulation effect was observed under severe water stress than that under moderate stress. Longer duration of stress resulted in low stimulation effect. In spite of the greater stimulation effect under severe and longer stress, the final leaf area in these situations was lower than that under moderate stress and shorter duration. Whenever the stress occurred, the stimulating effect was due to the increase of the leaf area of the tillers. Once the leaf on the main stem emerged during stress period, rewatering had no effect on its size, and consequently its leaf area. The stimulation of rewateirng on leaf area contributed to the final grain yield by 45% under moderate stress, and 67% under severe stress. Although the stimulation partly compensated for the loss during stress, the final leaf area and the grain yield could not reach the level without water stress.

Water,Nitrogen and Plant Density Affect the Response of Leaf Appearance of Direct Seeded Rice to Thermal Time

Field experiments were conducted in the Ebro Delta area （Spain）, from 2007 to 2009 with two rice varieties： Gleva and Tebre. The experimental treatments included a series of seed rates, two different water management systems and two different nitrogen fertilization times. The number of leaves on the main stems and their emergence time were periodically tagged. The results indicated that the final leaf number on the main stems in the two rice varieties was quite stable over a three-year period despite of the differences in their respective growth cycles. Interaction between nitrogen fertilization and water management influenced the final leaf number on the main stems. Plant density also had a significant influence on the rate of leaf appearance by extending the phyllochron and postponing the onset of intraspecific competition after the emergence of the 7th leaf on the main stems. Final leaf number on the main stems was negatively related to plant density. A relationship between leaf appearance and thermal time was established with a strong nonlinear function. In direct-seeded rice, the length of the phyllochron increases exponentially in line with the advance of plant development. A general model, derived from 2-year experimental data, was developed and satisfactorily validated; it had a root mean square error of 0.3 leaf. An exponential model can be used to predict leaf emergence in direct-seeded rice.

Understanding Differential Responses of Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) Leaf and Fruit to Water Stress and Recovery Following Re-Watering

Among all fruit crops of horticultural importance, grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.) stand out as the most drought tolerant crop species whose tolerance is credited to their proficiency to recover from water stress in both the natural and vineyard growing conditions. However, information on the recovery responses is relatively scant. Studies were conducted to address this issue using potted vines of the grapevine cultivar, Cabernet Sauvignon, which was subjected to water stress and along with anatomical and ultrastructural characterizations, physiological status was assessed in healthy and water stressed vines, and following recovery via rewatering from the water stressed vines. Water stress induced wilting of leaves, drooping of tendrils, and desiccation followed by abscission of shoot tip leaving behind a brown scar at the shoot apex. The wilted leaves accumulated ABA, which correspondingly reduced stomatal conductance and leaf water potential. Upon re-watering, both these parameters made a recovery with values similar to healthy leaves. Likewise, leaf anatomical features following rewatering resembled to that of healthy leaves. In clusters, water stress caused shriveling of preveraison (unripened) berries, which regained full turgor following water resupply, whereas the postveraison (ripening) berries in the same cluster remained unaffected as evidenced by the presence of viable mesocarp cells and epicuticular wax in the form of platelets. The study revealed that shoot tip with leaf primordia was most sensitive to water stress followed by fully expanded leaves and preveraison berries, whereas the postveraison berries remained unaffected. This information could be valuable to implementing irrigation strategies towards sustaining grape production in existing vineyards experiencing episodic droughts and targeted areas prone to drought.

Photosynthetic Light Utilization Efficiency, Water Relations and Leaf Growth of C3 and CAM Tropical Orchids under Natural Conditions

Native orchid species of Singapore in their natural conditions experience stress from high irradiance, high temperatures and periods of extended low rainfall, which impact orchid plant physiology and lead to reduced growth and productivity. In this study, it was found that there was a reduction in photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (PSII) in 6 native orchid species under high light (HL) and Bulbophyllum membranaceum under low light (LL). There was chronic photoinhibition in these 6 orchid species over a period of 3 months after transplanting onto the tree trunks without watering and fertilization, especially in Coelogynes mayeriana and Bulbophyllum membranaceum under both HL and LL. This chronic photoinhibition caused by sustained period of water deficit in their natural conditions was later reversed by natural re-watering conditions from higher rainfall. These results indicate that water deficit has a greater impact on photosynthetic light utilization efficiency than excess light. The present study also showed that after natural rewatering, relative water content (RWC) of leaves and pseudobulbs generally increased. During the natural re-watering, total leaf area also gradually increased and reached maximum expansion after 7 weeks under both HL and LL, with some exceptions due to leaf abscission or decline in total leaf area, possibly a strategy for water conservation.

Spatial variability of leaf wetness under different soil water conditions in rainfed jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) in the loess hilly region, China

Leaf wetness provides a wide range of benefits not only to leaves,but also to ecosystems and communities.It regulates canopy eco-hydrological processes and drives spatial differences in hydrological flux.In spite of these functions,little remains known about the spatial distribution of leaf wetness under different soil water conditions.Leaf wetness measurements at the top(180 cm),middle(135 cm),and bottom(85 cm)of the canopy positions of rainfed jujube(Ziziphus jujuba Mill.)in the Chinese loess hilly region were obtained along with meteorological and soil water conditions during the growing seasons in 2019 and 2020.Under soil water non-deficit condition,the frequency of occurrence of leaf wetness was 5.45%higher at the top than at the middle and bottom of the canopy positions.The frequency of occurrence of leaf wetness at the top,middle and bottom of the canopy positions was over 80%at 17:00‒18:00(LST).However,the occurrence of leaf wetness at the top was earlier than those at the middle and bottom of the canopy positions.Correspondingly,leaf drying at the top was also latter than those at the middle and bottom of the canopy positions.Leaf wetness duration at the middle was similar to that at the bottom of the canopy position,but about 1.46-3.01 h less than that at the top.Under soil water deficit condition,the frequency of occurrence of leaf wetness(4.92%-45.45%)followed the order of top>middle>bottom of the canopy position.As the onset of leaf wetness was delayed,the onset of wet leaf drying was advanced and the leaf wetness duration was shortened.Leaf wetness duration at the top was linearly related(R^(2)>0.70)to those at the middle and bottom of the canopy positions under different soil water conditions.In conclusion,the hydrological processes at canopy surfaces of rainfed jujube depended on the position of leaves,thus adjusting canopy structure to redistribute hydrological process is a way to meet the water need of jujube.

Effects of Water State of Soil on Ecological Boundary of Leaf Surface of Populus davidiana

The effect of water state of soil on eco-boundary over leaf surface was disscussed by takingPopulus davidiana as experimental material. The results show that to change soil water state by some methods was to adjust and control the forming quality of eco-boundary in fact. The plant in good water condition must be accompanied by thinner eco-boundary. This eco-boundary is beneficial to exchange and flow of the substances between plant and environment.

Leaf Water Status and Its Relationship with Reproductive Responses of Common Bean (<i>Phaseolus vulgaris</i>L.) Genotypes under Water Stress

Two tolerant (BB24 and BB43) and two susceptible (BARI busbean-2 and BB04) genotypes of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were evaluated for their water status and its relationship with reproductive responses under continuous water stress (50% field capacity) and control (80% field capacity) conditions in a net house covered with polyethylene sheet at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Bangladesh. Under water stress condition, the susceptible genotype namely BB04 exhibited more negative leaf water potential (LWP) which was followed by that of BARI bushbean-2 in all the time of the day except at noon. The tolerant genotype namely BB24 exhibited less negative LWP at noon. The tolerant genotypes maintained higher relative water content (WRC) than the susceptible ones from dawn to dusk. The relationship between RWC and LWP was examined separately for four genotypes under water stress condition. The genotype BB24 showed a smaller decrease in RWC with more negative LWP than BB04. Water stress reduced pod setting ratio. The relationship between the leaf water status and reproductive responses showed that the genotype with a little reduction in mid-day drop of RWC or with high mid-day RWC displayed a high pod setting ratio.