Uncovering adaptive mechanisms to water defcit in low soil phosphorus tolerant common bean genotypes

Authors

  • Margaret Namugwanya Department of Soil Science and Irrigation Management, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyambogo University, P. O. Box 1 Kyambogo, Uganda
  • Goefry Taulya Department of Agricultural Production, School of Agricultural Science, College of Agricultural and Environmental sciences, Makerere University P. O. Box 7062 Kampala, Uganda
  • Twaha Ali Basamba Department of Agricultural Production, School of Agricultural Science, College of Agricultural and Environmental sciences, Makerere University P. O. Box 7062 Kampala, Uganda
  • John Stephen Tenwya Department of Agricultural Production, School of Agricultural Science, College of Agricultural and Environmental sciences, Makerere University P. O. Box 7062 Kampala, Uganda

Keywords:

Phaseolus vulgaris L., relative water content, specifc leaf area, net assimilation rate, Uganda

Abstract

Water-deficit and low soil phosphorus are major constraints for common bean cultivation in sub-Saharan Africa. Tolerant varieties offer cost-effective alternatives to irrigation and fertilizers. This study examines how low phosphorus-tolerant common bean genotypes adapt to water-deficit through leaf morphology, physiology, and root development in screenhouse and field conditions. AFR703-1, AFR708, and K131 were completely randomized across well-watered and water-deficit conditions in screenhouse, with phosphorus applied at rates of 0, 6, and 16 mg P kg⁻¹ soil. In the field, same genotypes received triple superphosphate at rates of 0, 12, and 32 kg P ha⁻¹ in Mukono (well-watered) and Nakasongola (water-deficit) environments. AFR708 showed a significant (P < 0.001) 26% reduction in RWC under water-deficit without P, mitigated by higher P levels, while AFR703-1 and K131 showed no significant (p>0.05) difference under similar conditions. AFR703-1 and K131 exhibited significantly (P < 0.05) lower specific leaf area in water-deficit than well-watered conditions, contrasting with AFR708. Similarly, LMR in the studied genotypes significantly (P < 0.001) decreased with rising P under water-deficit, with diverse trends in well-watered conditions. AFR703-1 and K131 recorded higher NAR in water-deficit than well-watered conditions, contrary to AFR708. AFR genotypes significantly (P < 0.001) showed enhanced root development in water-deficit, including increased adventitious, tap, and lateral roots, higher total biomass, and finer root length compared to well-watered conditions, despite lower grain yields, notably in Nakasongola site. Over all, AFR703-1 holds promise as a breeding parent for enhancing water-deficit resilience and phosphorus tolerance in common bean production, despite yield reduction under stress.Top of Form

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Published

12-05-2025

How to Cite

Namugwanya, M., Taulya, G. ., Basamba, T. A. ., & Tenwya, J. S. . (2025). Uncovering adaptive mechanisms to water defcit in low soil phosphorus tolerant common bean genotypes. Food Agricultural Sciences and Technology, 11(2), 109–129. retrieved from https://ph02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/stej/article/view/255330

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Vol. 11 No. 2 (2025): MAY - AUGUST

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