VARIATION IN SPECIFIC LEAF WEIGHT AND RuDPCase ACTIVITY IN MUNGBEAN

Abstract

Specific leaf weight (SLW) and ribulose 1,5-diphosphate carboxylase (RuDPCase) were determined for 20 mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek) varieties. Varietal difference was significant for SLW and RuDPCase at the early reproductive stage. Significant and positive correlations were also found among SLW, RuDPCase, harvest index (HI), and seed yield. Results imply that high seed yield of mungbean could be associated with high photosynthetic rates and efficient partitioning of photosynthate. It was concluded that increasing seed yield in mungbean should be possible by selecting for (1) high SLW, (2) high HI, and (3) an increased RuDPCase activity.