Ascorbic acid (AA) turnover, and levels of RNA and protein were determined during germination ofCicer arietinum cv. Chafa under—(i) normal watering; (ii) water stress of six days; and (iii) revival upto next stage of seedling growth after water stress. Water stress lowered significantly AA, ascorbigen, ascorbic acid—macromolecule complex, RNA and protein content in embryo axis while a reverse trend was seen after revival. In the cotyledon, AA, RNA and protein contents were higher during water stress. However on revival only AA and protein contents decreased, whereas the RNA content showed further enhancement. It is suggested that increased synthesis of AA in the cotyledon during water stress may trigger enhanced synthesis of RNA and consequently of enzymic proteins, thus bringing about rapid mobilization of reserve materials during revival.