Factors Affecting Growth and Harvest Index in Pea (Pisum sativum L.) Varieties Differing in Time of Flowering and Maturity

Abstract

AbstractThree varieties of Pea (Pimm sativum L.) viz. EC33866 (early), P‐116 (medium) and T‐163 (late), differing in their flowering and maturity times, were taken for this study. The early variety recorded lower dry matter, CO2 exchange rate and lower yield. The harvest index (HI) was the highest (44 %) in this variety. Though medium and late varieties did not differ significantly in dry matter accumulation and pod yield, they differed in their HI. The HI in the medium variety is 42 % but in the late variety it is only 36%.The late variety maintained high leaf area, leaf dry weight, high shoot/root, shoot/nodule and root/nodule ratios, increased nodule dry weight and maximum glycolate oxidase activity. But acetylene reduction activity was low, and the harvest index was lowest. On the other hand, in the early variety the dry matter accumulation was lowest but HI was highest. The major reasons for high HI in this variety were translocation of photosynthates to reproductive organs and lower photorespiration as indicated by low glycolate oxidase activity.