Variability in Drought Stress Induced Responses of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Genotypes

Abstract

Drought stress is one of the important abiotic stresses which can limit the crop growth and yield by altering various physiological and biochemical processes. Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an important oil seed cash crop and can be affected by dry spells during critical pheno-phases. A field trial was conducted with six genotypes-JL-24, ICGV 91114, Narayani, Abhaya, Dharani and Greeshma in order to identify genotypic variability in physiological and biochemical changes that are triggered during drought stress. Drought stress imposition at flowering stage reduced Anet, gs, Tr and WUE. Reduction of Anet ranged from 60% (Abhaya) to 77% (ICGV 91114) whereas the reduction in Tr was lower. The genotypes Dharani and Abhaya with higher Anet and better intrinsic WUE at leaf level during stress period along with highest membrane stability index (MSI), higher accumulation of proline, FAA and total soluble proteins with better yield potentials proved to be tolerant to drought stress. The results indicated that response of groundnut genotypes to drought stress differed significantly and genotypes Dharani and Abhaya are likely to be tolerant to drought stress.