The Effect of Water Stress on Siratro (Macroptilium atropurpureum) Seed Production.

Abstract

The early and extended soil moisture stress can cause a severe reduction in plant weight, branch development, leaf number and LAI leading to significant reduction in seed yield. However, soil moisture stress imposed at peak flowering resulted in a significant increase in seed yield compared with adequate moisture to final harvest. This beneficial was due to the increase in number of inflorescences and pods formed on the primary and particularly the secondary branches. Other yield components which are number of seed per pod and seed weight were unaffected by water stress. Water stress has no effect on seed quality characteristics of Siratro, as quality appeared to be more dependent on stage of maturity.