evaluation of selection to drought by peg in hydroponic condition of twelve chickpea (cicer arietinum l.) genotypes

late-season drought is the major constraint reducing the productivity of chickpea. this experiment was carried out to study response of root and shoot characteristics in 12 chickpea genotypes to drought stress. two-drought stress levels (-3 and -6 bar) induced by peg 6000 and control in hydroponic condition at green house was performed. leaf relative water content (rwc), plant height, number of branches, root length, shoot and root biomass measured two weeks after drought imposition. in addition, drought susceptibility and resistance indices based on biomass calculated and correlation matrix was obtained among the traits studied. result showed that leaf relative water content (rwc), plant height, branch number and shoot and root biomass significantly reduced by water stress and root length increased in -3 bar compare with control condition. biplot analysis on drought resistance indices showed that mcc783 and mcc877 genotypes with 2.87 and 1.54 g/plant had the highest and lowest dry matter production, respectively. it seems that selection for drought tolerance of chickpea genotypes in hydroponic condition is not applicable to soil condition.