Changes in the number of photosynthetic pigments in leaves of lentil varieties and specimens during the vegetation period

Changes in chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b contents due to some biotic and abiotic factors have been found in the studied lentil varieties and specimens. In the branching stage, the chlorophyll a content ranged between 4.039 and 7.737 mg/g dry mass. During the whole vegetation period, maximum and minimum values 7.737 and 4.242 mg/g, respectively of the Chl a content was observed in the LIEN-LS-17(34) specimen. In the flowering period, the Chl a content changed in the range of 5.464-8.432 mg/g. The LICTN-17 (3) specimen was distinguished by the high amount 8.432 mg/g of Chl a. In the branching phase of the vegetation period, the Chl b content ranged between 1.526 and 5.672 mg/g. Whereas, in the flowering phase the Chl b content changed in the range of 1.665-2.612 mg/g. The maximum value of the Chl b content in the LICTN-17(3) specimen was equal to 2.612 mg/g. During the bean formation period, the Chl a content increased in some specimens and decreased in others. Thus, in the lentil varieties, the Chl b content reached maximum values 1.745-5.997 mg/g in the flowering and bean formation periods. During the grain filling period the Chl b content in lentil varieties and specimens decreased and amounted to 1.205-3.895 mg/g. The maximum carotenoid content was found during the flowering and bean formation periods in leaves of lentil varieties and specimens. The carotenoid content ranged between 1.88 mg/g and 3.07 mg/g in the leaves of the studied lentil varieties and specimens. The research revealed the highest value of the chlorophyll content in the flowering and bean formation phases. Our research has shown that there is a certain relationship between the chlorophyll content and photosynthetic productivity.