Influence of kinetin on photosynthesis, nitrogen metabolism and yield of clusterbean under moisture deficit condition

Kinetin (5 ppm) applied as either pre-sowing seed treatment or foliar spray (at 25 and 40 DAS) or both significantly improved the growth, dry matter production and seed yield offield grown clusterbean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) under moisture deficit condition. Besides favourably affecting net photosynthetic rate and nitrate reductase activity, it also resulted in more partitioning of photosynthates towards seeds, resulting in higher harvest index. Kinetin mediated response was due to higher content of different leaf metabolites (starch, soluble protein, etc.) thereby, prolonging the active growth phase.