COMPARISON OF WATER STRESS INDICATORS FOR SOYBEAN

An experimental study of several water stress variables was conducted on a soybean crop in Southern Italy. Predawn and minimal leaf water potential, stomatal resistance and ET/ETm were very sensitive indicators of water stress. Crop water radiative temperature criteria could be useful if certain precautions are taken. Pre-dawn leaf water potential appeared the most sensitive and easily determined index. We therefore suggest it as an appropriate diagnostic measure for water stress in plants grown under conditions close to those studied here.