* Department of Plant Physiology, Orissa Agricultural University, Bhubaneswar, Orissa.
Division of Plant Physiology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110012
Photosynthetic activity of groundnut leaves located at different branches during peak pod developmental phase was studied. The differences in photosynthetic rate of the leaves situated on the main shoot and three basal branches were almost negligible. The leaves of uppermost branch (5th) although received greater solar radiation showed lowest photosynthetic activity. Partial defoliation or covering of leaves enhanced the photosynthetic rate which was more in the basal branches compared to main shoot. This enhancement in photosynthetic rates was more due to covering than defoliation.
