The effect of water deficit stress on morphological characteristics and yield components of landraces (Trigonella foenum- graecum L.) fenugreek eight

Drought stress is one of the most important limiting factors which can affect crop production in semi-arid regions. To investigate the effects of water stress on some of the morphological characteristics of fenugreek and to identify the best landraces, a factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with three replicates as potted in the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad in 2014. Experimental treatments were combination of eight fenugreek landraces of Isfahan, Tabriz, Hamedan, Sari, Challous, Amol, Mashhad and Yasooj with four levels of moisture stress (1- no stress (100% of field capacity), 2- mild stress (75% of field capacity), 3- moderate stress (50% field capacity) and 4- severe stress (25% field capacity). The results showed that the main effect of drought stress was significant for all traits studied. The comparison of means revealed that the number of days till flowering, till maturity, plant height, root length and yield components (number of pods per plant, seeds per pod and seed weight) in the highest level of drought compared to control decreased 45.20, 9.08, 14.82, 32.39, 29.96, 27.13, 4.69, 30.36 %, respectively. Comparison of landraces also showed that the highest performance belonged to the landraces of Challous and Mashhad. Following the results of the current study, these two landraces could be utilized for modifying landraces with high potential yield in context of water stress.