Allometry, Dry Matter Allocation, and Yield in Mung Bean: Effects Of Population Density and Planting Configuration

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to determine the influence of population density and planting configuration on allometry, dry matter allocation and yield performance of mungbean. The experiment was conducted with six levels of planting densities. (10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 plants m⁻²) each at three levels of configuration (1:1, 1:2.5 and 1:5 rectangularity). Accumulation and distribution of dry matter to different components of plants were determined. Allometric relationships between stem weight and leaf weight was. also developed. At maturity, grain yield and yield contributing characters were recorded. Population density decreased plant size, but the effect was offset when converted to per unit area basis. Leaf area per plant increased over time almost parabolically regardless of planting density or configuration. On land area basis, however, leaf area index (LAI) increased progressively with increasing planting density. Specific leaf mass (SLM) decreased with increasing population density while planting configuration exerted no significant influence on SLM. Stem materials per unit leaf weight increased over the growth stages. Reproduction enhanced dry matter allocation into stem per unit leaf weight. Planting configuration had little effect on the allometric relationship. Reproductive effort decreased linearly with increase in population density. Seed yield per plant decreased progressively with the increase in planting density. Significant variation in the number of pods per plant and seeds per pod due to differences in population density caused the variation in seed yield. Planting at higher rectangularity (1:5) outyielded other planting configurations. Planting density and configuration caused similar effect on harvest index.