Photosynthetic restriction of soybean plants under variation of water availability

The aim of the research was to characterize the primary metabolism, with emphasis on photosynthetic activity, of soybean plants under different water availability conditions. The experiment was conducted in growth chamber with young plants of soybean cv. 'BMX Apolo RR' cultivated without water restriction up to the stage of six leaves expanded and the seventh leaf unfolded. Five levels of water availability were studied (-0.004, -0.006, -0.026, -0.042 and -0.164MPa) with eight pots (replications) per treatment. It was evaluated the net carbon assimilation (A(L)), stomatal conductance (g(s)) and transpiration (E) of the sixth leaf of one plant per pot. It was determined the water potential leaf, chlorophyll fluorescence, chlorophyll content (a, b and total), quantum yield and it was characterized the vegetative growth. Soil water potential of -0.026 MPa compromises the net carbon assimilation of soybean plants due to reduction of the stomatal resistance. The potentials applied did not influence in the amount of photosynthetic pigments and in the vegetative growth in situations of short exposition to stress.