AbstractBleeding sap and nodules fromVigna radiatawere analysed for their free amino nitrogen content and amino acid composition at different stages of growth and development. The bleeding sap contained mostly basic amino acids, whereas the nodules contained both acidic and basic amino acids. The amino nitrogen content of the bleeding sap increased during growth and then declined appreciably during fruit development. In contrast, nodule amino nitrogen declined from seedling stage onwards till flowering, increased during fruit development and then declined again. Nitrate reductase activity in the leaves examined at different stages of development increased from seedling stage onwards and was maximum during early fruit‐development stage. It declined during pod‐filling stage. The study suggests that the amount of nitrogen fixed from the atmosphere is insufficient, so that the plant has to draw upon soil nitrogen as well. This may be necessary due to the high demand of nitrogen during pod fill