Effect of Drought Stress and Starter Nitrogen Fertilizer on Root Characteristics and Seed Yield of Four Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Genotypes

Drought stress is the most important factor which reduces root and shoot growth in crops. This study was performed to evaluate the effects of drought stress and starter nitrogen fertilizer on root characteristics and seed yield of four chickpea genotypes. The field experiment was laid out as split plot-factorial arrangement in randomized complete block design with three replications. Drought stress was assigned to main plots in three levels; no stress (full irrigation) moderate drought stress (irrigation at planting and early flowering) and severe drought stress (no irrigation). Nitrogen fertilizer at two levels; 0kg N/ha and 25kg N/ha and four chickpea genotypes; Azad, Bivanij, Hashem and ILC482 as factorial in sub plots. Result showed that effect of drought stress was significant on number of secondary roots, length of roots, length of primary roots, roots volume, roots dry weight, root: shoot ratio, number of root nodules, roots length density and seed yield. Effect of nitrogen fertilizer was significant only on dry weight of roots and root: shoot ratio. Genotypes were significantly different for traits except roots length density. In severe drougth stress conditions and without application of nitrogen fertilizer cv. Bivanij had the highest seed yield, number of root nodules, volume of roots and dry weight of roots.