Physiological traits contributing to grain yields under drought in black gram and green gram

Ten genotypes each of black gram and green gram were evaluated for traits contributing to water use efficiency in a field experiment conduced during Rabi, 2004–05. Under terminal moisture stress conditions there was a significant reduction of SCMR (SPAD chlorophyll meter reading) and SLA (specific leaf area) both in black gram and green gram genotypes. Black gram genotypes PBG 107, LBG 20 and MBG 207, and green gram genotypes MGG 336 and MGG 351 showed higher SCMR and lower SLA under stress. Significant inverse relationship (r=0.73, P<0.05) was observed between SLA and SCMR in black gram genotypes while no correlation was observed in green gram genotypes. Significant positive relationships were observed between seed yield and SCMR both in black gram and green gram under moisture stress, indicating that SCMR could be used as a screening tool for grain yield under drought conditions.