Leaf Expansion in Brassica Species in Response to Water Stress

The influence of water stress and recovery cycle on pattern of leaf expansion in Brassica juncea L. (cv. Canadian Black) and B. napus L. (cv. Drakkar) was studied under glasshouse condition. The relative rate of leaf expansion (percent of watered plants) in B. napus declined gradually in response to water stress where as in B. juncea it remained constant after an initial decline. Reduction in final leaf area was mainly due to extremely reduced expansion of leaves produced during the stress period.