IMPACT OF DEFICIT IRRIGATION ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF TWO MASH [VIGNA MUNGO (L.) HEPPER] CULTIVARS

Abstract

Water deficiency is considered one of the major limiting factors which adversely affects the growth and yield of crop. Current study was conducted to access the impacts of drought on two Vigna mungo    cvs. (6036-21 and ES-1). A field experiment was conducted in complete randomized design   with two treatments (control and drought). Drought was imposed at vegetative stage. To analyze the impact of drought stress physiological and yield attributes were recorded. Results showed that drought stress causes greater reduction in fresh and dry biomass (22%, 33%) and (49% and 54%), SPAD (9% and 19%) and quantum yield of PSII (21% and 31%) in both cvs. 6036-21 and ES-1 respectively. Similarly, greater reduction in yield attributes was also observed as number of pods (26% and 34%), number of seeds (6% and 12%), pod’s length (5% and 9%) and 100 seeds weight (18% and 20%) in both cvs. 6036-21 and ES-1 respectively. However, plant’s height (41% and 31%), number of leaves (9% and 7%), number of pods (26% and 34%) and relative water content (27% and 26%) reduced in cv. 6036-21 and ES-1 respectively. Correlation coefficient analysis represents positive correlation of drought      tolerance with RWC, number of pods and quantum yield of PSII. Overall findings indicated that cv. 6036-21 exhibits less reduction in growth and yield attributes under drought stress as compared to cv. ES1. Thus, cv. 6036-21 found to be more resistant against drought stress and could be used in further breeding program.