Physiological and Biochemical Basis for Moisture Stress Tolerance in Chickpea under Pot Study

Water deficit stress is one of the important factors limiting chickpea production in arid and semiarid regions. Water deficit induced b Polyethylene glycol (PEG) affect physiological and biochemical changes in Chickpea. This investigation was undertaken to evaluate morpho-physiological parameters, levels of osmolytes and activities of antioxidative enzymes under PEG 6000 induced osmotic moderate and severe stress in pot. The plants were subjected to two progressive stresses: moderate (-0.4 MPa) and severe stress (-1.2 MPa). The tolerant genotypes have highest photosynthetic activity with limited rate of transpiration under stress condition as compared to susceptible genotypes. Drought tolerant genotypes had higher relative water content and stomatal conductance. Increase in the proline content during water stress condition suggests that proline is one of the common compatible osmolytes under water stress conditions. The mean activities of antioxidative enzymes such as SOD, Cat and APX were higher in leaves of tolerant genotypes than susceptible types. The present data suggest a relation between proline content and water stress and a well developed antioxidant defense mechanism activated during water stress.