Photosynthetic rates of mungbean leaves as affected by morphological leaf traits

A field experiment comprising sixteen mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] genotypes was conducted during two successive years (2007 and 2008) to study the relationship between leaf area and photosynthetic rates along with the correlations between phenological days, total dry matter buildup and leaf angle. Crop was monitored for various phenological traits, viz., days to flowering, days to podding, dry matter accumulation, leaf area, leaf angle and photosynthetic rate at flowering and podding stages. It was observed that leaf area had negative direct effect as well as significant negative correlation with photosynthetic rate. Leaf angle had positive direct effects (0.72 and 0.49) as well as significant positive correlations with photosynthetic rate (0.82** and 0.49**) at both flowering and podding stages.