Evaluation of physiological characteristics and yield components of chickpea genotypes under rain-fed condition

In order to evaluation of physiological characteristics, yield and yield components of winter-sown chickpea genotypes under rain-fed condition a field experiment was conducted at Agriculture and Natural Resources Research Station of Ardabil during the 2010-2011 growing season. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design with 15 chickpea genotypes replicated three times. Water content, relative dry weight, cell membrane stability (CMS), injury cell index (ICI), excised leaf weight loss and yield component were investigated. The results of variance analysis showed that chickpea genotypes had significantly differences in all of measured characteristics. The assessment of plant–water relations revealed that the maximum RWC belonged to S99326 × SEL99TH15042 genotype. The Flip98-138C × Sel99TER85074 × SEL99TH15039 genotype had highest CMS. The highest seed yield per plant, pods per plant and 100-seed weight were recorded for Flip97-118C, CA9783007 × Sel99TER85534 and (ILC4291 × Flip98- 129 C) × S98008 genotypes. These genotypes were expected to provide higher yields after severe drought than those genotypes with high susceptibility.