1Germplasm Evaluation Division, National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi-110 012
2Division of Plant Physiology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110 012
3Germplasm Conservation Division, National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi-110 012
*Author for Correspondence: E-mail: tpsy60@gmail.com
Online published on 12 August, 2013.
A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the performance of 12 cultivar of chickpea released from IARI including six desi type namely, BGD 72, Pusa 256, Pusa 362, Pusa 372, Pusa 391 Pusa 1103 and six kabuli type namely, Pusa 1003, Pusa 1053, Pusa 1088, Pusa 1105, Pusa 1108, Pusa 2024 were evaluated under restricted soil moisture conditions. On the basis of seed yield performance, Pusa 1105, Pusa 2024, Pusa 1053 and BGD 72 were found superior as compared other cultivars tested. Membrane Stability Index (MSI) and Relative water content (RWC) were recorded relatively higher in BGD 72, Pusa 1103. The above cultivar may be recommended for cultivation in North-West Plains Zone under restricted soil moisture conditions. BGD 72, Pusa 1103 and Pusa 2024 are also suitable to be used as parent in breeding for improving the drought tolerance in chickpea as these cultivars exhibited higher MSI and RWC values amongst all the cultivars.
Chickpea, drought tolerance, Membrane stability index, Relative water content, Seed yield
