Faculty of Biology, University of Latvia
EEB
Hard copy: ISSN 1691–8088
On-line: ISSN 2255–9582
Env Exp Biol (2013) 11: 9–15
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Environmental and
Experimental
Biology

Env Exp Biol (2013) 11: 9–15

Original Article

Physiological responses of chickpea (Cicer arietinum) genotypes to drought stress

Reza Talebi1*, Mohammad Hossien Ensafi2, Nima Baghebani3, Ezzat Karami4, Khosro Mohammadi4
1Young Researcher Club, Sanandaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sanadaj, Kurdistan, Iran
2Department of Plant Physiology, Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute of Iran (ABRII), Karaj, Iran
3Department of Plant Biotechnology, Islamic Azad University, Sabzavar Branch, Sabzavar, Iran
4Department of Agronomy & Plant Breeding, Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj Branch, Sanandaj, Iran
*Corresponding author, E-mail: srtalebi@yahoo.com

Abstract

In order to evaluate grain yield and physiological traits related to drought tolerance, a field experiment with 35 chickpea genotypes was carried out. Plants were grown either under optimum conditions (irrigated) or drought stress implemented at post-anthesis stage (rainfed conditions). A drought susceptibility index was used as a measure of drought tolerance. Plants were sampled at 50% flowering time for measurement of relative water content, chlorophyll and carotenoid concentrations and ion accumulation (Na+ and K+). The results showed that there was wide variation in tolerance to drought stress among chickpea genotypes. Drought-tolerant genotypes had higher relative water content, chlorophyll and carotenoid concentrations and larger K+ accumulation compared to Na+. Significant and well-defined relationships between drought susceptibility index and relative water content, chlorophyll and carotenoid concentration, Na and K uptake were found. It was concluded that these parameters could be useful and reliable indices for selection in chickpea breeding for drought tolerance.

Key words: chickpea, Cicer arietinum, drought stress, physiological response.

 
Env Exp Biol (2013) 11: 9–15
 DOI: http://doi.org/10.22364/eeb
EEB

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Prof. Gederts Ievinsh
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University of Latvia

 
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