摘要 : The effect of drought stress followed by rewatering was examined in the cowpea leaf during the pod development stage. Drought stress was given by withholding water for six days followed by subsequent rewatering to study the effect... 展开 The effect of drought stress followed by rewatering was examined in the cowpea leaf during the pod development stage. Drought stress was given by withholding water for six days followed by subsequent rewatering to study the effect on metabolic components such as photosynthesis rate and Ribulose-l,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco; EC 4.1.1.39) activity and content. The aim was also to examine whether drought stress enhances senescence by inducing specific proteases. The results showed that the water-stressed leaf showed a decrease in photosynthesis rates as a result of stomatal closure and lower Rubisco activity. There was also loss in Rubisco large subunit and an increase in acidic endopeptidase activity. Cysteine proteases were predominant in Rubisco degradation. Thus, drought stress enhanced the rate of monocarpic senescence through increased proteolytic activities and there was a limited response of metabolic recovery on rewatering during the pod development stage in cowpea leaf. 收起