Physiological responses of cowpea simultaneously exposed to water deficit stress and varying light intensities at vegetative and reproductive growth stages

A combination of stresses as it occurs on the field poses more challenges to crop production than individual stress. Crops’ response single stress also differs from that combined stresses. The morpho-physiological responses two cowpea varieties (IT89KD-288 and IT99K573-1-1) a (water deficit high light intensity) were investigated at different growth stages. Three levels intensities (L3: 259 Lux- 36%, L2: 394 Lux-55% L1: 710.2 Lux-100%) imposed using one, zero layer(s) net, respectively, while, water four (W1: no stress; 0-5 bars, W2: moderate 5-15 W3: moderately-severe; 15-40 bars W4: severe 40 -70 bars) was differently vegetative reproductive Data collected yield, Leaf Temperature (LT), Chlorophyll (C), Photosynthesis (P), Stomatal Conductance (SC) Canopy Transpiration Rate (CTR). Exposure W4 under L1 considerably reduced yield by 80% compared those grown L3 full watering. Reduced intensity enhanced grain irrespective IT89KD-288 superior IT99K573-1-1. Reduction in increased SC 55.18 76.88 36 % L3. Full without (100% intensity), C content, while content CTR. was, however, low 100% intensity. It observed stage did not affect P, CTR unlike stage. In conclusion, tolerance yield. Cowpea dependent stage, variety severity