Drought stress resistance in two diverse genotypes of lentil imposed at different phenophases

Drought stress was imposed in two lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) genotypes (IPL-406, macrosperma type and HUL-57, microsperma type) at different phenophases viz. mid-vegetative, flower-initiation and pod-formation stages in pot grown plants by withholding irrigation till the plants experienced one cycle of permanent wilting. Plants were assessed for biomass and nitrogen partitioning, nodulation ability, yield and yield attributing traits. Effects of drought stress imposed at specific phenophase persisted on stressed plants till maturity. The plants stressed at different phenophases had a long lasting effect on nodule number, biomass and nitrogen partitioning, number of fruiting nodes/plant, number of pods/plant, number of seeds/plant, number of seeds/pod and seed yield. The magnitudes of reduction in studied parameters were always higher in genotype IPL-406 than HUL-57. Test weight (1000 seeds) increased marginally in both the genotypes under stress irrespective of stage of imposing stress. Nevertheless, HI showed variable response under stress. Drought stress at pod-formation stage was most damaging in both the genotypes, but HUL-57 was found to be a promising genotype for drought stress condition.