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The growth and development of cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata) under tropical field conditions: 1. Leaf area

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

E. J. Littleton
Affiliation:
International Institute for Tropical Agriculture, PMB 5320, Ibadan, Nigeria
M. D. Dennett
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Botany, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading, RG6 2AS
J. Elston
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Botany, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading, RG6 2AS
J. L. Monteith
Affiliation:
Department of Physiology and Environmental Studies, University of Nottingham

Summary

The pattern of leaf growth and death was followed in stands of cowpea grown in the field at Ibadan, Nigeria. Temperature affected this pattern. Leaf area index increased quicker and leaf death started sooner during warm seasons. Individual leaves died while pods at the same node were filling. The rate of leaf appearance increased with temperature and the duration of expansion of individual leaves decreased so that a constant number of leaves were expanding at one time. The mean rate of expansion of individual leaves increased with temperature proportionately more than the duration decreased, hence final leaf size increased with temperature. Base temperatures for leaf appearance and leaf expansion were 16 and 20 °C respectively.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1979

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