During the growing period (14 days), all plants were periodi-
cally irrigated with the SNS to the point of dripping.In this way,the
sub strate water content was maintained at field capacity. After this
period, half of the plants (4 per cultivar) were subjected to water
stress by applying deficit irrigation. During the water stress period
(15 days), control plants were irrigated to the point of dripping
while those subjected to water stress received70% of the dose used
to water the control plants. The water dose used to irrigate the
control plants was determined by measuring the difference
between the water added to the pot and the drainage of excess
water. This procedure was repeated daily for each cultivar