The differential growth response of three early successional species Albizzia lebbeck, Acacia nilotica and Prosopis cineraria were studied with stress imposed at early growth stages. Seedlings of the three species raised in pots were subjected to four watering frequencies i.e. daily (M0), after 5 day's (M1), after 10 day's (M2) and after 15 day's intervals (M3). Various observations for growth parameters including plant height, stem-diameter, number of leaves and leaf area were studied after the seedlings had established for one month. Dry weight was estimated at the end of twelve month experimental period. The response to moisture availability by three species possessing different reproductive strategies was investigated to determine the implications of using moisture availability to manipulate plant growth and response breadth. The suppression caused by water stress is greater in Albizzia lebbeck and least in Prosopis cineraria. The water holding capacity was highest in Prosopis cineraria and lowest in Albizzia lebbeck. In terms of response breadth a wider response was observed in Prosopis cineraria for dry weight. These results suggest that as the availability of water decreases, the mechanism used by plants to conserve that water may become more effective in Prosopis cineraria.
Response, reproductive strategies, response breadth, suppression, stress
