PJB-2018-421
FREEZING TOLERANCE OF CHICKPEA GENOTYPES IN CONTROLLED CONDITIONS
Jafar Nabati
Abstract
Autumn planting of chickpea (Cicer ariethinum) leads to improved height and biological nitrogen fixation. However, lack of cultivars tolerant to extreme cold is a limiting factor in autumn planting in cold and highland areas. In this study, 58 Kabuli-type chickpea genotypes and one control (International sensitive genotype) were planted in pots and first exposed to -10°C and then to -15°C after being acclimated in natural conditions. No destructive effect of -10°C was observed in plants. So, acclimation was repeated and plants were transferred to -15°C. Survival percentage was measured after three-weeks recovery period. To continue, 19 genotypes with higher survival along with the international sensitive genotype were exposed to temperatures of -16, -18 and -20°C after they were acclimated in controlled conditions. All the experiments were arranged as Completely Randomized Design with three replications. Results indicated that seven genotypes had survival percentage more than 80%, 24 genotypes more than 25% and 25 genotypes could not survive in -15°C. MCC803 (Mashhad Chickpea Collection) had the highest and MCC808 and MCC510 the lowest survival percentage. All the genotypes were killed in -18 and -20°C. Among 19 studied genotypes, eight were able to tolerate -16°C, of which MCC53, MCC770, MCC776, MCC809 and MCC815 had a survival range of 76-95%. Among factors affecting cold tolerance, e.g. soluble carbohydrates, proline, total phenol, photosynthetic pigments, DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity and MDA (Malondialdehyde), soluble carbohydrates showed significant positive correlation with chickpea survival percentage.
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