THE EFFECT OF WATER DEFICIT ON N2(C2H2) FIXATION BY WHITE BEAN AND SOYBEAN

White bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is generally reported to fix less N than soybean (Glycine max Merrill [L.]). Recent work has shown that in soybean the onset of physiological responses that conserve plant and soil water occurs at greater water deficits than in some other legumes. Little is known about water use regulation in white bean. Research was conducted to compare the responses of these two species to water deficit, particularly its effects on N2 fixation, in both controlled environment and field conditions. In the growth room, plant water potential, leaf diffusive resistance, acetylene reduction and nodule mass per plant were measured for both species during progressive drought, and compared to watered controls. In the field, the leaf diffusive resistance of irrigated and unirrigated plants of both species was measured, as was the soil water potential in plots where these crops were grown. Under conditions of increasing water deficit white bean reacts to conserve plant and soil water sooner than soybean: closing its stomates earlier under drought conditions and maintaining higher plant water potentials. White bean acetylene reduction declined more rapidly over time and over plant water potential levels, but not over changes in leaf diffusive resistance, than that of soybean, as the droughting progressed. In the field, under drought conditions, white bean root nodules senesced, while soybean nodules did not, and white bean was observed to exhibit more parahelionasty than soybean. The onset of physiological responses that conserve plant and soil water occurred at lesser water deficits in white bean than soybean, and this was reflected in more extreme effects on N2 fixation by white bean.Key words: White bean, soybean, water deficit, acetylene reduction, nitrogen fixation, nodulation