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Influence of partial defoliation on dry-matter production and seed yield of urd bean (Vigna mungo L. Hepper)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

R. K. Pandey
Affiliation:
Department of Agronomy, G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar District, Nainital, U.P., India
V. B. Singh
Affiliation:
Department of Agronomy, G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar District, Nainital, U.P., India

Summary

Field investigations were carried out to study the effect of partial defoliation on dry-matter production and seed yield of urd bean. Partial defoliation during the vegetative and/or reproductive phase reduced seed yield. The severity of yield reduction was dependent on the stage of crop development and the degree of defoliation. The reduction of total dry-matter production by defoliation was accompanied by a decrease in crop growth rate and leaf/plant weight ratio. The net assimilation rate was higher in defoliated plants from 40 to 60 days after sowing. The reduction in seed yield due to defoliation was highly due to a reduction in the number of pods per plant, and also sometimes in the number of seeds per pod and in 100-seed weight.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1981

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