Relationship of developing pods with photosynthetic characteristics of leaves in chick pea

Abstract

Net photosynthesis rate, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase activity, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase protein and total chlorophyll content in leaves which subtend the pods vis-a-vis the pattern of pod, podwall and seed growth were analyzed in chick pea. Three sets of plants namely control, deflowered and depodded were maintained. Accompanying the initiation of pod development in control plants, there was a decline in these photosynthetic characteristics in leaves of control as well as deflowered plants. The senescence rate was higher in control plants compared to plants from which flowers or pods had been removed. The early pod growth which was mainly constituted by podwall growth, was accompanied by a higher decline in leaf net photosynthesis rate. Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase activity and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase protein decreased predominantly at the later stage of pod growth, which was mainly constituted by higher seed growth. Loss of chlorophyll was also higher at later stages of pod growth. It is suggested that both nutrient remobilization and hormonal action are probably involved during monocarpic senescence in chick pea.