ETHYLENE AND DROUGHT TOLERANCE IN SELECTED LEGUMES

Plants growing in arid lands have developed adaptations to use water efficiently. Some plants have low water requirements and drought tolerance or the ability tolerate arid conditions. A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of drought on ethylene production and its importance in drought tolerance in two legumes, Medicago sativa and Cassia corymbosa. In Medicago growth rate decreased one day before the peak of ethylene was present for all the evaluated cultivars and when osmotic potential became more negative and when leaf water potential was about -0.4 MPa. In Cassia a peak in ethylene production occurred between day 8 and 12, and was related to senescence and abscission even though the level of the peak was no higher then the level produced under non-stressed conditions. This response was associated with higher sensitivity to ethylene. This book provides information about physiology of ethylene metabolism, drought stress, and plant responses to arid conditions. This information is useful to students, researchers and professionals involved in plant production and issues related to water use efficiency.