Nitrate Reductase Activity in Relation to Dwarfism in Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench

Abstract

Nitrate reductase (NADH) (NR) activity in pot culture experiments was studied in nine cultivars of S. bicolor (L.) Moench varying widely in height at maturity. The data were computed for curvilinear regression analysis and a best-fit polynomial curve was obtained. The NR activity showed an inverse correlation with plant height. We suggest that the physiology of dwarfism is governed by a number of complex metabolic processes. Further, the dwarf cultivars, by virtue of their high NR activity, may prove better for the selection of high-yielding, protein-rich cultivars for genetic manipulations.