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

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.