PJB-2021-546
APPLICATION OF ORGANIC MANURES CAN IMPROVE WATER STRESS TOLERANCE IN CHICKPEA
Dr. Nazim Hussain
Abstract
Water deficit is one of the key factors adversely influencing the plant development and production by diminishing the nutrients and moisture uptake. Therefore, the investigations under study were conducted to check the effects of organic manures in mitigating the adverse effect of water stress on selected chickpea genotypes. Firstly, five genotypes (Thal 2006, DUSHT, Punjab 2008, Bhakhar 2011 and AZC 06) were screened by imposing drought stress at various growth stages i.e. flowering, pod formation and grain filling under field conditions. Among these genotypes, Bhakhar 2011 produced maximum yield and yield-contributing attributes against the minimum was observed from DHUST under water stress conditions. In second experiment treatments were as selected chickpea genotypes i.e. Bhakhar 2011 (drought tolerant) and DUSHT (drought sensitive), two water stress levels i.e. water stress at flowering stage and water stress at flowering + pod formation + grain filling stage including well watered (control) and application of organic manures i.e., farmyard manure (FYM): 20 tons ha-1 and press mud: 15 tons ha-1 either alone or in combination in addition to control. Both experiments were conducted at two sites Bahawalpur and Cholistan farm areas. These experiments were laid out in three repeats with RCBD two factors and three-factor factorial arrangement in first and second experiment, respectively. Results indicated that water deficit at assorted growth phases adversely affected the growth, yield and quality attributes of both chickpea cultivars. Application of organic manures improved the growth and yield contributing parameters of both chickpea genotypes even under water stress conditions. Combined use of FYM and press mud produced superior growth and yield contributing attributes while maximum antioxidant enzyme activities were observed in drought tolerant genotype (Bhakhar 2011) under well-watered conditions and under water stress at flowering + pod formation + grain filling stage, respectively. These results suggested that combined application of organic manure mitigated the adverse effects of water stress as its decomposition incorporated micro and macronutrients into the soil. It leads to improve the soils moisture retention and nutrient supply potentials and creates favorable soil conditions with enhanced nutrient use efficiency.
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