Abstract
Lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus) is one of the most important cool season food legume crops grown in many countries. Seeds are typically rich in protein, fiber, prebiotic carbohydrates and minerals, such as iron and zinc. With changing climate and variability, the lentil crop faces frequent droughts and heat stress of varying intensity in its major production zones. In the present study, a set of 162 lentil accessions selected through the Focused Identification of Germplasm Strategy (FIGS) were screened for tolerance to heat stress and combined heat-drought stresses under field conditions at two contrasting locations, namely Marchouch and Tessaout in Morocco. The results showed a significant genotypic variation for heat tolerance and combined heat-drought tolerance among the accessions at both locations. Based on the heat tolerance index (HTI), accessions, namely ILL 7833, ILL 6338 and ILL 6104, were selected as potential sources of heat tolerance at Marchouch, and ILL 7814 and ILL 8029 at Tessaout. Using the stress tolerance index (STI), ILL 7835, ILL 6075 and ILL 6362 were identified as the most tolerant lines (STI > 1) at Marchouch, and ILL 7814, ILL 7835 and ILL 7804 (STI > 1) at Tessaout, under the combined heat-drought stress conditions. Accession ILL 7835 was identified as a good source of stable tolerance to heat stress and combined heat-drought stress at both locations.
Highlights
Lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus) is an annual, diploid (2n = 14) and self-pollinated crop
Our findings showed that heat stress adversely affected plant height, number of branches and pods, grain yield and biomass, which agrees with several investigations in chickpea [62,63], lentil [12]
The present study shows that heat, as well as combined heat-drought stress, severely affects flower production and pod set, leading to a substantial loss in grain yield in lentil
Summary
Lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus) is an annual, diploid (2n = 14) and self-pollinated crop. Its seeds are rich in protein (22–35%), fiber, prebiotic carbohydrates and minerals, such as iron and zinc [1]. It plays a major role in alleviating malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies of people living in Central. In 2018, the total world area under lentil production was 6.1 million hectares, with a production of. 6.3 million tons; in the African continent, Morocco ranked second in lentil production after Ethiopia. The average productivity of lentil in Morocco was recorded as 798 kg/ha, which is still very low, compared to the world average of 1038 kg/ha [4] It enhances nitrogen in the soil through symbiotic nitrogen fixation and, plays a crucial role in the diversification and intensification of cereal-based cropping systems, worldwide [3].
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
