Growth pattern and its impact on seed yield in cultivated and wild genotypes of Vigna

Abstract

Eight genotypes belonging to cultivated and wild types under genus Vigna showed significant differences for total dry matter content, plant height, number of leaves/plant, CGR, RGR and leaf-RGR at flowering and active pod filling stages but not in early vegetative or pre-flowering stages. Urdbean cultivar LU 487 accumulated maximum amount of dry matter at 60 DAS and wild accession Sub 17, the lowest amount. In genotypes having high dry matter content, the partitioning of biomass towards sink was a limiting factor for determination of yield, while for low dry matter accumulators, the whole plant dry matter content was the main determinant. Among all the genotypes, Sub 14 and Set 3 were found to be the highest yielders. CGR attained the peak value between 45 and 60 DAS. The maximum RGR value was achieved during 30-45 DAS and it mostly coincided with that of leaf-RGR. Leaf nitrogen and chlorophyll content followed sigmoidal pattern of changes. High photosynthetic activity at post-anthesis period coupled with effective remobilization of nitrogen reserves were found to be important criteria for ensuring high yield in these genotypes.