Comparison and Classification of Lentil (Lens culinaris) Landraces under Drought Stress Conditions after Flowering

In order to compare and classify of 15Iranian lentil landraces under drought stress conditions after flowering, an experiment was carried out in split plot lay out based on randomized complete block design with four replications. It was performed at the Agricultural Research Station of Islamic Azad University, Tabriz Branch, during the cropping year of 2011. The primary factor consisted of drought stress treatments at 2 levels (non stress and stress after flowering) and secondary factor of 15 lentil landraces. Analysis of variance indicated remarkable diversities among the landraces under study and significant differences for interaction of genotype by drought stress levels were obtained for most of the traits measured. Grain yield and number of grains per plant were highly influenced by drought stress. Mean comparisons also showed significant variations among the landraces for number of pods per plant, number of grains per plant, 100- grain weight, hecto liter weight, biological yield, grain yield and harvest index. Drought stress also reduced of plant height, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per plant, 100- seeds weight, hectoliter weight, biological yield, grain yield and harvest index of the lentil landraces under study. Correlation coefficients revealed that, number of seeds per plant and harvest index had significant and positive effect on seed yield under drought stress. Cluster analysis, based on the traits studied, divided the landraces into three groups. In this classification, the landraces of Kaleybar, Garadagh, Kharvana, Horand Danehriz and Shomale Varzegan were distinguished as superior landraces under drought conditions.