Abstract
Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is one of the most important legume crops worldwide, with its importance mainly relying on its high protein content. Chickpea productivity is strictly threatened by abiotic stresses, of which drought exerts the most crucial role in terms of growth inhibition and yield losses encountered. Given that germination is a critical stage that is negatively affected by drought, the aim of this study was to estimate the genotypic variability among ten chickpea genotypes and to determine the seed germination and seedling growth ability under drought stress conditions. Seeds were subjected to water stress by polyethylene glycol (PEG-6000) at five stress levels (0, 5, 10, 20, 30 and 50% PEG). Germination percentage, seed water content, seed water absorbance, root and shoot development and seedling vigour index were evaluated. The analyses revealed significant genetic variability in relation to genotypic performance under drought stress. Drought significantly affected germination as well as all other associated traits, with the effects of stress being analogous to the stress level applied. Findings point to the fact that seedling vigour index is a suitable selection criterion for drought tolerance as it allowed the classification of genotypes as tolerant, moderately tolerant, moderately susceptible and susceptible. Taken together, the commercial varieties ‘Thiva’, ‘Keryneia’ and ‘Gavdos’ as well as the landrace ‘Lemnos’ showed an increased drought tolerance at high stress level, indicating their possible exploitation as valuable genetic material for breeding programs or for commercial use.
Highlights
Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is an important pulse crop cultivated in over 50 countries (Jumrani and Bhatia, 2014)
Chickpea is classified as a lowwater-demanding crop with satisfactory adaptation in dry areas, with crop establishment being largely depended on seed germination potential under low water availability (Arjenaki et al, 2011)
Seed germination was significantly affected by drought stress while, at the same time, differing substantially among genotypes under study (Table 1)
Summary
Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is an important pulse crop cultivated in over 50 countries (Jumrani and Bhatia, 2014). Chickpea is classified as a lowwater-demanding crop with satisfactory adaptation in dry areas, with crop establishment being largely depended on seed germination potential under low water availability (Arjenaki et al, 2011). Drought stress adversely affects crops throughout their lifecycle and causes yield losses, the extent of which varies significantly depending on the duration and intensity of the stress, the genetic background and the developmental stage. Moderate to severe drought reduces plant biomass, grain yield and related yield components of legumes (Siddique et al, 2001), while estimates of yield losses due to terminal drought range from 35% to 50% (Sabaghpour, 2003). Drought causes yield losses ranging from 30% to 60%, depending on geographical region and length of crop season
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
