SEED PRIMING WITH ZINC MODULATE GROWTH, PIGMENTS AND YIELD OF CHICKPEA (Cicer arietinum L.) UNDER WATER DEFICIT CONDITIONS

Abstract

The research was conducted to assess the role of pre-sowing seed treatment with 0.05% ZnSO4 solution on four varieties of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) i.e. CM 2008, FG 0902, DO 75-09 and Pb 2008 under three different drought conditions. Seeds primed with distilled water and 0.05% ZnSO4 solution were sown in plastic pots filled with soil. The osmo-primed seeds were laid in completely randomized design. Drought was maintained in three levels i.e. control 100% FC, 70% FC and 35% FC. After one month of drought treatment 50% plant replicates were sampled for measurement of seed germination characteristics, growth attributes and chlorophyll pigments and left the remaining 50% plants for further growth. Drought was maintained till the crop ripening and at the end yield attributes were recorded. Water deficit stress decreased the germination rate, fresh and dry weight of root and shoot, total chlorophyll, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoid in all chickpea varieties. However, the seed priming with ZnSO4 improved the growth conditions of the plants. ZnSO4 seed priming also caused early germination than in non-primed. Overall, the results showed that CM 2008 and FG 0902 chickpea varieties were more drought tolerant than others while there was wide variation among chickpea varieties in response to seed priming with ZnSO4 solution. Overall, ZnSO4 seed priming alleviate the drought effect by enhancing the growth condition of plants and in turn the yield of chickpea cultivars.