Comparative Analysis of Photosynthetic Parameters and its Evaluation in Pearl Millet Hybrid and its Parents

Fully expanded leaf occupying topmost position in a field grown pearl millet hybrid (BJ-104) and its parents (J-104 and 5141-A) were analysed at weekly intervals for chlorophylls, Hill activity and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase activity. Large ontogenic drifts in these parameters, made the actual comparison between hybrid and parents, difficult. However, up to 52 d the hybrid leaf possessed considerably higher chlorophyll pigments than its parents. Amongst the inbreds, the male parent was initially better than the female parent while at later stages, the trend was reversed. Hill activity and PEPcase were more in the male than in the female parent and the hybrid followed the better parent. Rate limiting steps for productivity, measured as NAR (g dry weight)^?1, were worked out in the female parent, using multiple regression and correlation analysis, and the significance of such an analysis is discussed in relation to plant productivity.