Ethylene Production and Physiological Parameters in Common Bean Plants Under Water Deficit

Common bean is a plant species cultivated around the globe. The objective of this study was to demonstrate how the physiological parameters associated with transpiration, photosynthesis and ethylene production vary in common bean plants under different periods without irrigation. Three experiments were carried out to assess leaf water potential, stomatal conductance, transpiration, carbon assimilation, and ethylene production as a function of different irrigation intervals. A fourth experiment with exogenous application of abscisic acid (ABA) in plants with daily irrigation was also carried out. In all experiments there was a reduction in stomatal conductance at the very early period without irrigation, which consequently influenced transpiration and carbon assimilation. It was also verified that the exogenous application of ABA caused a reduction on ethylene production in common bean plants. The relationship between increased ABA production and the reduction of ethylene production is discussed.