EFFECT OF WATERLOGGING AND GIBBERELLIC-ACID ON LEAF GAS-EXCHANGE IN PEANUT (ARACHIS-HYPOGAEA L)

Plants of peanut (A rachis hypogaea L.) were waterlogged for 7 and 14 days and were sprayed with 10 and 100 mg L-1 of gibberellic acid (GA3). Waterlogging decreased the leaf area, chlorophyll content and rate of photosynthesis but slightly decreased the leaf water potential (psi-leaf). However, the stomatal diffusive resistance (SDR) increased at all the stages. Application of GA3 increased the leaf area and rate of photosynthesis, decreased SDR but did not affect psi-leaf and chlorophyll content. GA3 also partially relieved the effects of waterlogging on leaf area, SDR and photosynthesis.