Water Balance and Proximate Composition in Cowpea (<i>vigna unguiculata</i> (l). Walps) Seedlings exposed to Drought and Flooding Stress

Abstract

Studying the water balance and proximate composition in plants subjected to these stresses compared the influence of drought and flooding on cowpea seedlings. In drought plants the leaf water potential, its components and the proximate composition were markedly reduced by the end of the experimental period. In contrast, flooded cowpea seedlings did not show marked reduction in water potential and other parameters studied. From these results, it was concluded that cowpea strives better in a flooded environment than in a water stressed environment.


Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management Vol. 8 (2) 2004: 55-57