Comparison of the Growth and Development of Two Selections of Guar, Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub., With Contrasting Branching Patterns

Abstract

Two selections of guar, C. tetragonoloba, with contrasting branching patterns were grown at two times of year at each of three plant densities. Although the efficiency with which they used intercepted light energy in the production of new dry matter did not differ between the two selections, or between the treatments, it did appear to increase during the ontogeny of the crops. The gross partitioning of new dry matter between leaves, stems and roots was similar between selections and across treatments, but there were large differences in the mean weights of stem associated with each internode, mean leaf weights and specific leaf areas of the two selections. The results of the analysis of dry matter production and partitioning are discussed in relation to the field performances of the two selections.