Growth and N Acquisition Pattern in Two Genotypes of Pigeonpea

Periodic studies of grwoth rate, nitrogen fixation and N-content of different plant parts were carried out by raising the cultivars H-77-216 (indeterminate) and ICPL-151 (determinate) of pigeonpea in sand culture. Relative growth rates (RGR) of leaf, stem and nodule in both the cultivars were maximum at 60 DAS. Two peaks of RGR of root were observed at 45 DAS and 90 DAS. Cv. H-77-216 had higher RGR of nodule than cv. ICPL-151. Specific leaf weight (SLW) was highest at 90 DAS. A peak of SNA was observed at 75 DAS. Nodule nitrogen showed peak 30 and 15 days earlier than SNA in respective cultivars. Leaf nitrogen showed a peak 15 days earlier than stem nitrogen. The values of SNA were at par in both the cultivars. Available soil N increased at 110 DAS and 90 DAS in respective cultivars.