Division of Plant Physiology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110012
Two varieties viz. C235 and BG 212 of chickpea (Cicer arieiinum L.) were exposed to normal and long days to study the extent of variability in photosensitivity of individual variety in relation to soil moisture levels, i. e. supplying water daily (High), thrice a week (Medium) and once a week at temporary wilting (Low). Variety C 235 flowered earlier due to long days under all the three soil moisture conditions but the variety BG 212 responded to long days only under high soil moisture condition. Under low soil moisture condition BG 212 remained totally insensitive to long days. It has been suggested that the charactor of photoinsensitivity as shown by BG 212 under low moisture supply can be used in improving chickpea varieties for wider latitudinal adaptability under rainfed conditions.
