ABSTRACT

Field survey networks or multifactorial analyses of yield variability have shown (Pumphrey et al., 1979) that water deficit is without question a major limiting factor in pea. The aim of this chapter is to synthesize the main results relating to the analysis of its effects on pea crop physiology. The first part defines the terms of deficit, constraint and water stresses relating either to the concept of water availability in the environment or to plant responses. Changes in different water status variables in response to soil drying are described for the most frequent water scenarios in the main pea cropping areas. The nature of plant responses is discussed in the second part, where the effects of water deficits are reported on growth, development, and yield and quality elaboration.