Genetic Control of Chloroplast Pigment Development in Soybeans as a Function of Leaf and Plant Maturity

Abstract
Changes in the major chloroplast pigments of pigment-deficient genotypes of soybeans were studied as a function of leaf age and plant age. The trends of pigment development are plotted as a function of relative leaf age at 2 periods of plant development. Comparisons are made between aging leaves from different nodes and leaves of different ages from the same node. Trends of pigment development are expressed as a ratio of pigment-deficient/normal genotypes for 5 different genotypes and 7 sampling periods. Those genotypes that exhibit a lag in production of pigments during leaf development show a similar lag in overall plant pigment development.