Study on Effect of Caffeine on Growth of Vigna radiata L.

Caffeine is a bitter crystalline alkaloid. It is in family of chemicals called xanthenes, which are often used as mild stimulants, and has a chemical formula of C8H10N4O2. The Mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) is a legume cultivated for its edible seeds and sprouts across Asia. Mung similar to other pulses is grown primarily for its protein rich seeds. Mung contains 20-25% protein. In present investigation Vigna radiata L. seeds were treated with different concentration of caffeine to check its effect on plant growth. Height of plant was measured as a daily parameter to check effect on growth. On twelve day of germination the plants were removed to evaluate fresh/dry weight and spectrophotometric measurements for chlorophyll content. It is found that 0.5-1.25 % caffeine gives best results which can be reconfirmed by height, weight,Chl a, b, Carotenoids estimation. The experimental errors are avoided by performing statistical analysis. The results indicating that caffeine have positive impacts on Vigna rdiata L. growth.