RESPONSE OF SWORD BEAN (CANAVALIA SP.) TO DIFFERENT INTENSITIES OF LIGHT STRESS

The present investigation was undertaken to study the response of sword bean (Canavalia sp.) under different light intensities and to evaluate their performance on the basis of yield. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with four treatments (S₀ – 0% light stress, S₁ – 75% light of open, S₂ – 50% light of open and S₃ – 25% light of open) replicated five times. Light stress had an adverse effect on the growth and yield of this crop. Plant height and chlorophyll content increased under low light conditions whereas dry matter production, specific leaf weight and yield decreased drastically with increasing shade making it unfit for cultivation even under low light. Based on this response the crop was classified as ‘shade sensitive’.