Effect of soil moisture stress on physiological process of plant and yield of pigeonpea genotypes

Abstract

Present investigation was carried out in rainout shelter at PGI, Field, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, Dist. Ahmednagar (Maharashtra) Fifty genotypes were evaluated in Randomized Block Design with two replications in two separate experiments one under moisture stress only one irrigation and another control three irrigation condition. The studies revealed that the water stress had a strong influence on the growth, yield and physiological character of pigeonpea genotypes under study. Significant differences were observed amongst the genotypes for mean values of dry matter production observations and yield under moisture stress and control conditions. Under control condition the genotypes viz., PT-04-292, PT-04-164, PT-04-382 and PT-04-251 found to be promising for yield and yield contributing characters. The performance of genotypes viz., PT-0012, PT-011-6, PT-04-378 and PT-04-259 were found better for most of the morphological characters and yield contributing attribute under moisture stress condition. The genotypes PT-0012, PT-011-6, PT-04-378 and PT-04-259 exhibited higher value dry matter production and grain yield per hector. Therefore, these genotype can be used as a donar for drought tolerance in further breeding programme for developing the drought tolerance varieties in pigeonpea.