RESPONSE OF FRIJOLILLO RHYNCHOSIA MINIMA (L) DC. TO SUPPLEMENTARY PHOSPHORUS WITH THREE SOIL MOISTURE CONDITIONS: II. SOLUTE ACCUMULATION

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of induced drought conditions and phosphorous (P) application on osmotic adjustment as reflected in the accumulation of organic solutes in the leaves of frijolillo. The experiment took place under greenhouse conditions without climate control. Plastic containers were used measuring 20 cm high × 15 cm in diameter. In each container, five plants were evaluated from emergence to vegetative growth phase. Three soil moisture regimes were evaluated (25%, 50%, and 100% of field capacity) combined with four concentrations of phosphorous (0, 50,100 and 150 mg kg⁻¹ of soil). A completely randomized block design with a factorial arrangement of 3×4 with four replications was used. The cellular osmotic adjustment as a response to drought stress in frijolillo was associated with the accumulation of sugars, amino acids and proline in that higher concentrations than the control were measured with moisture at 25%. Concentrations of chlorophyll and carotene increased as soil moisture levels decreased.

Keywords:

• Rhynchosia minima
• drought stress
• phosphorous
• solute accumulation

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Financial assistance from the National Council of Science and Technology of Mexico (CONACYT 0707-B) is gratefully acknowledged.