RESUMO
An experiment was conducted with chilling tolerant (IC-424234) and sensitive (PBG-1) chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) genotypes to study the effect of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) – nitric oxide donor applied as foliar spray of 150 and 300 µM concentrations at 45 DAS (vegetative stage), 85 DAS (flowering stage) and 125 DAS (post flowering stage). Both the concentrations of SNP (150 and 300 µM) resulted in significant increase in all the morphological characters viz. plant height, number of leaves plant-1, leaf area plant-1 and leaf area index (LAI) over the control at all the stages, though lower concentration (150 µM) was more effective. Chilling sensitive (CS) genotype PBG-1 responded more effectively to SNP treatment. Electrolyte leakage percentage was effectively reduced by SNP treatments in both the genotypes at low temperature (15 DAA). Chilling sensitive genotype PBG-1 treated with SNP (150 µM) recorded significantly higher yield contributing characters viz. number of pods plant-1, number of seeds pod-1, seed yield plant-1(g), pod setting percentage (%), 100 seed weight (g) and yield (kg ha-1) over the chilling tolerant (IC-424234).
RESUMO
Comparison of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) genotypes for morphological and biochemical attributes was done. Morphological characters viz. Plant height, number of branches and number of leaves were recorded highest in chilling tolerant genotypes at early stages of development (30 and 60 DAS) whereas at later stages (90 and 120 DAS) these characters were recorded highest in chilling sensitive genotypes. Pollen viability percentage at 5 and 10oC temperatures were recorded highest in chilling tolerant genotypes as compared to sensitive genotypes. Biochemical characters viz. electrolyte leakage (%), total soluble sugars and total free amino acids were recorded highest in chilling tolerant genotypes as compared to sensitive genotypes.