Alteration of plant architecture and reproductive efficiency of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) genotypes through growth retardants
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Date
2017
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Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana
Abstract
Field experiment was conducted at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during kharif season in the year 2016-17 with an objective to investigate the effect of ethrel (@ 200 ppm), stance (@ 200 ml/ac) and mepiquat chloride (@ 200 ml/ac) on the growth, flower retention and yield of pigeonpea genotypes PAU 881 and AL 201. The biochemical changes associated with the use of growth substances were also studied. Foliar spray of growth substances were done at 60, 68 and 75 days after sowing. Various morpho-physiological, biochemical and yield characteristics were analyzed at different developmental stages. The plant height reduced effectively with the foliar applications of growth substances. The leaves of treated plants exhibited increased level of chlorophyll, which provided better conditions for higher production of photosynthates to be utilized for grain yield. The parameters determining reproductive efficiency and yield were significantly improved due to reduction in flower abscission, improved flower retention, pod formation, and seed weight. The treatments also affected the various biochemical constituents viz. total soluble sugars, total starch content (leaves and stem), total soluble proteins and amino acids (pod wall and developing seed). The activity of enzymes viz., invertase (stem, leaves, pod wall and developing seed) and sucrose synthase (leaves and stem) also increased in response to growth substances. Ethrel (@ 200 ppm) 60+75 DAS showed the best result among all the treatments.
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