Authors : A.K.S. Lobato , R.C.L. Costa , M.A.M. Neto , C.F. Oliveira Neto , B.G. Santos Filho , G.A.R. Alves , J.M.N. Freitas , F.J.R. Cruz , C.A. Marochio and G.K. Coimbra
Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes provoked by the water deficit on photosynthetic pigments and carbon metabolism in 2 Vigna unguiculata cultivars, besides indicating, which cultivar is more tolerant under water deficiency. The experimental design used was carried out at entirely randomized in factorial scheme, with 2 cultivars (Pitiuba and Perola) and 2 water regimes (control and stress). The parameters evaluated were leaf relative water content, leaf number, chlorophylls a, b, total and carotenoids, as well as total soluble carbohydrates and sucrose. The decreases of total chlorophylls in Pitiuba and Perola cultivars were at 20.7 and 34.1%, respectively. The total soluble carbohydrates levels in Pitiuba and Perola cultivars presented significant increases at 67.6 and 42.8%, respectively. The study revealed that Pitiuba cultivar presents higher tolerance the water deficiency, because this cultivar had smaller variations in leaf relative water content, leaf number and pigments. In addition, it were showed that total soluble carbohydrates and sucrose suffer changes more intense in Pitiuba, when compared with Perola, in which indicates that the mechanism of osmotic adjustment in Pitiuba is more efficient.
A.K.S. Lobato , R.C.L. Costa , M.A.M. Neto , C.F. Oliveira Neto , B.G. Santos Filho , G.A.R. Alves , J.M.N. Freitas , F.J.R. Cruz , C.A. Marochio and G.K. Coimbra , 2009. Responses of the Photosynthetic Pigments and Carbon Metabolism in Vigna unguiculata Cultivars Submitted to Water Deficit. Research Journal of Biological Sciences, 4: 593-598.