Effect of ABT-4 on seed germination, nodulation, nitrate reductase activity, nitrogen content and grain yield in soybean, broad bean, pea and black gram

Effect of ABT-4 rooting powder (ABT is a series of new type of plant growth regulator from 1–7 ABT used for different functions, Wang and Zhangan 1997) was studied on seed germination, nodulation, nitrate reductase (NR) activity, nitrogen and protein content and yield in soybean (Glycine max), broad bean (Vicia faba), pea (Pisum sativum) and black gram (Vigna mungo). With 15 ppm ABT-4 seed germination, nodulation, NRactivity and plant biomass and yield parameters increased significantly whereas 20 ppm showed inhibitory effect on all the parameters. ABT-4 did not show any significant effect on nitrogen and protein content at the concentrations tested.