Protease activity in relation to mobilization of leaf nitrogen during pod development in irrigated and unirrigated chickpea cultivars

Protease activity in relation to leaf nitrogen mobilization was examined in four chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cultivars (Pusa 256, Pusa 72, Pusa 267 and Pus a 372) grown in unirrigated and irrigated field conditions. The irrigation treatment consisted of two additional irrigations applied at flowering and pod filling stages. A decrease in the content of leaf nitrogen was observed during pod development. Leaf nitrogen was higher in irrigated than in unirrigated plants. The activity of protease at pH 4 was higher than at pH 7 and was less in irrigated than in unirrigated plants. These findings are discussed in relation to decrease in harvest index by irrigation commonly observed in this crop under north Indian conditions.