Fig. 1.

GR-specific activity in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) ‘EPACE-1’ and ‘1183’ leaves. GR-specific activity was measured in control and drought-stressed plants (top), under a desiccation experiment (middle) and after ABA-treatment (bottom). Values are means ± s.d. of three to five independent experiments. GR activity was assayed by following the oxidation of NADPH (decrease in absorbance at 340 nm) and expressed in nmol mg⁻¹ protein min⁻¹. Control plants (C), Ψw = −0·5 ± 0·1 MPa; S, droughted plants: S1, Ψw = −1·0 ± 0·1 MPa; S2, Ψw = −1·5 ± 0·2 MPa; S3, Ψw = −2·0 ± 0·2 Mpa; D, desiccation treatment for 0·5 h (D1), 2 h (D2), 5 h (D3); A, ABA treatment for 0·5 h (A1), 2 h (A2), 24 h (A3).