Physiological parameters as affected by moisture stress in chick pea genotypes

Chickpea (Cicer arietium L.) is mainly cultivated in arid and semi-arid around the worl. The major constraints of low productivity of chickpea are abiotic stresses like moisture, temperature, nutrients and salinity, among them drought contribute maximum. The aim of the present study was to document physiological variations in tolerant and susceptable chickpea genotypes under moisture stress. Eight chickpea varities from different agro climatic zones (Pusa-256, C-235, Pant G-186, Pusa-1103, BG-3003, RSG-888, BGD-72, JG-11) were taken in the present study. Physiological observations at 30 days interval recorded and days to first flowering, days to 50% flowering, days for first pod formationa, days to 50% pod formation and days to physiological maturity were also recorded. In the present study moisture stress caused 15 percent reductions in biomass accumulation and different growth indices i.e. RGR and NAR have shown that moisture stress have significant reductions at various stages of phenophases. In long duration genotypes BGD 72 and BG 3003, the duration of phenophases were not hampered however, Pusa 1103, which is eaarly to medium duration variety also gave significantly higher yields as compared to other genotypes. Genotype Pusa 1103 which is early to medium duration genotype yielded better as compared to Pusa 256 and other genotypes, exhibited tolerance to moisture stress. The RW/C, MSI and chlorophyll content were reduced significantly due to moisture stress. The higher RWC in tolerant genotypes resulted in higher membrane stability and better retention of chlorophyll. Maintenance of high RWC and MSI resulted in continuation of assimilartory activities at higher levels in tolerant genotypes like Pusa 1103, BGD 72 and BG 3003. Genotypes BGD 72, Pusa 1103 and BG 3003 maximum seed yield was observed as compared to C-235. The tolerant types Pusa 1103 and Pusa 256, depicted early flowering and possessed drought escape mechanism while BGD 72, BG 3003 seems to be drought resistant types as they carried their various metabolic activities in the hard environmental conditions.