Agronomic Performance of Chickpea Affected by Drought Stress at Different Growth Stages

Susceptibility to drought stress has restrained chickpea productivity at a global level, and the development of drought-tolerant varieties is essential maintain its productivity. Therefore, present study was conducted evaluate genetic divergence in selected genotypes their morpho-physiological responses under irrigated stressed conditions identify traits that account for better performance these conditions, as well with improved tolerance. The were evaluated two years significant variation found amongst different yield traits. maximum reduction observed plant (33.23%) conditions. Principle component analysis (PCA)-based biplots correlation studies established strong positive relative water content (RWC), membrane stability index (MSI), chlorophyll (CI), secondary branches (SB) negative correlations susceptibility (DSI), days maturity (DM) 100 seed weight (100 SW) stress, suggesting use selecting germplasm. Ten high values RWC, MSI, CI, SB, lower DSI identified might serve ideal donors forthcoming breeding elite cultivars. seed-filling stage began earlier genotypes, significantly reduced Our results indicate selection earliness offers promising strategy