Physiological and biochemical evaluation of groundnut cultivars differing in drought tolerance

Six cultivars of groundnut were screened for relative drought tolerance based on the chlorophyll stability index (CSI), membrane stability index (MSI), peroxidase activity and ash content. CSI and ash content showed significant and positive correlation whereas MSI and peroxidase activity showed significant negative correlation with pod yield under moisture stress conditions. It is suggested that such traits should be utilized in future breeding programmes for drought tolerance. Among the cultivars TCGP-5,6 and 10performed better than JL-24, TCGS 320 and 596 throughout crop growth period under moisture stress conditions. Benzyl adenine (BA) seed treatment increased the growth rates and pod yields under moisture stress compared to water soaked seeds.