Plant water relations and photosynthetic activity in three Tunisian chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) genotypes subjected to drought

Authors : Abdelmajid KROUMA

Pages : 257-264

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Publication Date : 2010-06-01

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Chickpea insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Cicer arietinum L.); is an important food crop grown under rainfed conditions in Mediterranean regions in which drought is a major limiting factor for production. In these areas little attention is given to legumes, and efforts to identify drought-tolerant genotypes are primarily focused on major cereal crops. In the current study a greenhouse experiment was conducted to assess the effects of drought stress on plant growth, photosynthesis, and water relations in 3 Tunisian chickpea genotypes insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Cicer arietinum L.);. Drought was applied, and soil humidity was maintained at 30% of field capacity insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(stressed plants); or 100% of field capacity insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(control plants); for 3 weeks. A close relationship between plant growth, and photosynthesis and leaf water status was observed. In comparison to Chetoui and Kesseb, Amdoun exhibited the greatest plant growth and photosynthetic activity, the lowest drought intensity index, and important osmotic adjustment under drought stress. Water use efficiency clearly differentiated the studied genotypes.
Keywords : Key words Drought, Cicer arietinum, photosynthesis, water potential, osmotic adjustment, water use efficiency