Evaluation of heat tolerant chickpea lines for grain yield and other adaptive features under optimal and stress conditions

Abstract

Eighteen chickpea (Cicerarietinum L.) germplasms (with the standard and local checks) and 2 planting dates were laid on RCBD with three replication in order to be evaluated for grain yield and other adaptive traits. The experiment was conducted at Werer during the dry season of 2015. The seeds were sown when temperature raises over 35 oc in order to expose the crop to high temperature. The first planting was done on 23 Jan 2015, the second planting was done on 24 Feb 2015 and third planting was done on 24 mar 2015. The gross plot size was 4.8m2 (4mx1.2m) accommodating 4 rows of 4m length. Spacing of 30cm between rows and10cm between plants were used and harvesting was done from two central rows of each plot (2.4m2). All data (plant phenology, growth parameters, yield and yield components) were collected and subjected to statistical analysis using SAS software. Mean separation was done using DMRT. Result and interpretation: The result of the screening experiment demonstarte that there are genotypic variability for heat treat. And accordingly yield, has been variable for the genotypes.