Effect of bioregulators on canopy photosynthesis, stomatal conductance and seed yield of chickpea, Cicer arietinum L under late sown high temperature stress condition

Chickpea being a cool season crop experiences abnormally high temperature during reproductive phase. Therefore terminal high temperature stress is one of the major constraints for its production. Bioregulators play important role in alleviating detrimental effects of high temperature. Therefore in order to test the potential foliar application of some bioregulators viz abscisic acid (ABA), benzyladenine (BA) and salicylic acid (SA) for improving photosynthesis and other physiological parameters under high temperature condition, present investigation was undertaken using Kabuli type chickpea variety (Pusa-1108) and high temperature stress was imposed by delaying the sowing dates (normal sowing and late sowing) to expose the terminal phase of crop to high temperature. Observations were recorded on stomatal conductance and canopy photosynthesis and seed yield. Under high temperature stress interestingly application of bioregulators (ABA, BA and SA) in general maintained the higher value of all physiological parameters. Present findings indicate that the foliar application of ABA, BA and SA improves stomatal conductance and the canopy photosynthesis hence lead to increased seed yield under late sown high temperature condition.