Correlation of pigeon pea grain protein and leaf nitrate reductase

Short summary Pigeon pea seeds contain ~ 21 % crude protein in addition to vitamin B, iron and iodine. Seeds are rich in lysine but deficient in cysteine and methionine and hence,a diet combining cereal and pigeon pea protein makes a well-balanced human food. As nitrate reductase (NR) is an important biochemical parameter for N utilization, this study examines leaf NR potential and relation between leaf NR and grain protein content in pigeon pea genotypes obtained from Pulses Project of MPKV,Rahuri, India. Seeds were analyzed for proximate principles and also for leaf NR potential of each genotype.A significant positive correlation was observed between leaf NR activity and grain protein content in the genotypes. The petioles of the plants demonstrated highest NR activity, whereas the lowest was confined to root nodules. This book confirms that high seed protein genotypes exhibiting high NR activity in their leaves appeared as promising candidates in pigeon pea improvement programme for enhanced seed nutritional values.