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Effects of Water Deficit on Growth, Biomass Allocation and Photosynthesis of A. senegal Seedlings from Nguru and Gujba Provinces of Yobe State, North Eastern Nigeria
JIBO, AU & BARKER, MG
Abstract
Acacia senegal (L) Willd is a multipurpose tree species that occurs throughout semi-arid Africa. Poor
yields of gum from the species in the semi-arid region of Nigeria may be due to more frequent drought events. It is not
yet clear whether some populations of A. senegal may respond differently to any encroaching drought. The effects of
water deficit on growth, biomass allocation and photosynthesis of A. senegal seedlings from Nguru and Gujba province
of Yobe state, North Eastern Nigeria were studied under glasshouse conditions for 120 days. Plants were subjected to
three watering regimes; control (well-watered) conditions corresponding to 25% gravimetric water content (GWC), mild
water deficit at 15% (GWC) and severe-water-deficit at 10% (GWC), respectively. There was a highly significant
difference in stomata conductance among the treatments (F2, 84=11.38, P< 0.001) in relation to water deficit. There was no
statistical difference in quantum yield between the two provenances (F1, 84 =0.15, P=0.695) and interaction between
treatment and provenances was also not significant (F2, 84= 2.14, P=0.124). mean root length between the provenances
were significantly different (F2,84 =0.60, P< 0.001) however Root length was not statistically significantbetweentreatments
(F2,84= 0.60, P= 0.550). Plant biomass, stomata conductance, quantum yield, chlorophyll fluorescence, relative water
content, root length and root: shoot ratios were highly responsive to changes in soil water. It was concluded that A. senegal
is capable of physiological adjustment in response to soil moisture as a form of ecological adaptation.
Keywords
biomass allocation; provenances; relative water content; stomata conductance.
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