Effects of water stress on some physiological traits and grain yield of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cultivars

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted in 2012 to determine the effect of different irrigation levels (I1, I2, I3 and I4: irrigation after 70, 100,130 and 160 mm evaporation from class A pan, respectively) on leaf-air temperature difference, chlorophyll fluorescence, ground cover and their consequences to crop yield of three chickpea cultivars (Azad, Arman and Jam from kabuli type). The experiment was arranged as split-plot based on randomized complete block design in three replications, with the irrigation treatments in main plots and chickpea cultivars in sub-plots. Results showed that with increasing water stress, leaf-air temperature difference and chlorophyll fluorescence of the PSII (Fv/Fm) decreased. Consequently, percentage and duration of ground cover and grain yield per unit area decreased. Azad was a superior cultivar in grain yield under all irrigation treatments.