Morpho-Physiological Characterization and Yield Performance of Chickpea Genotypes Under Moisture Stress Conditions
Raghvendra Diwedi
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Bundelkhand University, Jhansi (U.P.), India.
Mousmi Syed *
Department of Seed Science and Technology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Bundelkhand University, Jhansi (U.P.), India.
Mahipat Singh
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Bundelkhand University, Jhansi (U.P.), India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The present study was conducted at the Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Bundelkhand University, Jhansi (U.P.) to evaluate twelve chickpea genotypes under normal and late sown conditions. The objective was to analyze their morpho-physiological traits and yield performance under moisture stress and non-stress environments. A split plot complete block design was used for evaluating seed yield, morphological traits, and physiological responses. Results revealed that moisture stress significantly reduced plant height, days to maturity, reproductive duration, and pod number, while relative water content and test weight remained largely unaffected. Genotypes K-850, ICC 4958, and IC-305536 showed superior drought tolerance and yield under stress, making them promising candidates for cultivation in drought-prone and delayed sowing regions.
Keywords: Chickpea, drought stress, genotype evaluation, morpho-physiological traits, yield components, late sowing