1. 1. The rate of 14CO 2 output from [1- 14C]glucose was higher than that from [6- 14C]glucose in cotyledons and embryonic axes of black gram ( Phaseolus mungo L.) seedlings in various stages of germination. In cotyledons, the rate of 14CO 2 output from [1- 14C]- and [6- 14C] glucose increased during the first 24 hr of germination and decreased with ageing. The C 6/C 1 ratios were about 0.5, and the ratios did not change appreciably throughout the germination period, whereas the rate of 14CO 2 output and the C 6/C 1 ratio in embryonic axes increased with growth. 2. 2. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGDH), phosphoglucose isomerase (PGI), fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase (ALD), hexokinase (HK), and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) were present in dry seeds of black gram. In cotyledons, the activities of HK, G6PDH, and 6PGDH increased about 2–3 times that in dry seeds. In contrast, the activities of PGI, ALD, and ADH decreased rapidly with ageing. The activities of all determined enzymes increased markedly in embryonic axes after 48 hr of germination. 3. 3. The glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) and fructose-6-phosphate (F6P) levels in the dry seeds were very low. Their levels in cotyledons increased rapidly with imbibition and then decreased with ageing. The levels of these metabolites in embryonic axes increased with growth. A small amount of 6-phosphogluconate (6PG) was found in cotyledons and embryonic axes throughout the germination period. 4. 4. The metabolism of [1- 14C]- and [6- 14C]glucose, [U- 14C]gluconate, and [1- 14C]ribose in cotyledons and embryonic axes of black gram seedlings at four stages of germination was studied. In cotyledons, incorporation of the radioactivity from these labelled compounds into the RNA fraction was high at 24 hr of germination. On the other hand, in embryonic axes, incorporation of 14C from these compounds into the RNA fraction increased with growth. 5. 5. The function of the PP pathway during germination of black gram is discussed.