​Screening of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Genotypes for Germination and Early Seedling Growth under PEG 6000 Induced Drought Stress

Abstract

Background: Drought stress at germination and early growth stages hinders the seedling establishment in chickpea which ultimately affects the economic yield. Such adverse affects of drought can be mitigated by screening and identifying the tolerant genotypes of chickpea which is commonly cultivated under rain-fed conditions during post-rainy season. Methods: Effect of drought stress on germination and early seedling growth of thirty three chickpea genotypes was studied under four different concentrations of PEG 6000 (-0.3, -0.6, -0.9 and -1.2 MPa) along with control and hydration under laboratory conditions during 2018-19. Result: Significant variation was observed among the genotypes for germination, root length, shoot length and seedling vigour index under different concentrations of PEG 6000. Complete inhibition of germination was observed in most of the genotypes at -1.2 MPa. Based on the results obtained, JG 11 and NBeG 3 were considered as tolerant since they showed comparatively higher germination, root length, shoot length and seedling vigour even at -1.2 MPa, while NBeG 723 and NBeG 833 were considered as susceptible genotypes because of their poor germination and seedling growth even at lower levels of drought stress.

Screening of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Genotypes against Drought Stress Employing Polyethylene Glycol 6000 as Selecting Agent

“…This rise in root length amid stress was suggested to be indicative of the genetic potential for drought stress tolerance within the genotype. Himaja et al [49] observed the effect of drought stress on germination and early seedling growth of thirty-three chickpea genotypes at four different concentrations of PEG 6000 (-0.3, -0.6, -0.9 and -1.2 MPa) at control and hydrated conditions. Significant variation was detected among the genotypes root length under different concentrations of PEG 6000.…”

“…This augmented vigour index under both controlled and stressed conditions could be attributed to the heightened germination percentage, along with longer root and shoot growth, within the tolerant genotypes. Reduced vigour index in sensitive genotypes may be caused by PEG-induced osmotic impact, which is damaging and inhibits plants from retaining sufficient nutritional contents required for healthy development [57,46,49]. Sohail et al [58] investigated a range of data for seedling vigor index length, which varied from a minimum of 2182.24 to a maximum of 3773.91, with a mean value of 2980.866.…”