Exploration of Distinct Physiological and Biochemical Alterations in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under Varying Organic Materials, Drought and Proline Application

Chickpea yield is decreasing day by day due to drought stress,which could be an immense risk for future food security in developing countries.Management practices could be the most excellent approach to diminish loss due to this abiotic factor.The current research work was designed to explore the tolerance reaction of chickpea genotypes against management practices,through morphological and biochemical parameters and evaluate yield performance across drought prone location of Bangladesh.Four genotypes BD-6048,BD-6045,BD-6090,BD-6092 and eight management practices,e.g.,severe water stress(SWS),i.e.,without irrigation,10 cm thick mulching with rice straw(MRS),10 cm thick mulching with water hyacinth(MWH),organic amendment through compost(OAC)@3 t ha−1,organic amendment through cow dung@5 t ha−1(OACD),organic amendment through poultry manure@2 t ha−1(OAPM),inorganic amendment through proline application(IAPA)as foliar spray and 16 h hydro-priming(HP).The study revealed that the genotypes BD-6048 showed excellent performance because of the highest chlorophyll,carotenoids,phosphorus,potassium,proline and protein content.The highest pod number plant−1 also increased seed yield in BD-6048.Considering management practices,IAPA increased relative water content,carotenoids,leaf phosphorus and potassium compared to other management practices and severe water stress.Finally,BD-6084 was selected as best genotype because of a significant increase in chlorophyll a and b,carotenoids,and relative water content with IAPA.Identified top performing genotypes can be used for releasing variety and cultivated for sustainable production in drought prone area of Bangladesh.

The Seed Water Sorption Isotherm and Antioxidant-Defensive Mechanisms of <i>Hordeum vulgare</i>L. Primed Seeds

The key successful for seed priming technique was the management of seed imbibition process. This study was aimed to indicate the seed moisture sorption characteristics of Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Samerng 2 in relation to the seed priming technique and its effect on the seed qualities. The experiment was designed by Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with four replications. Seed hydro-priming technique was done under 25 degree Celsius, and 40% - 60% RH. Barley seed moisture content was determined every hour after imbibition for 24 hours. Then, primed barley seed qualities were evaluated at 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16 hours of hydrotime. The results revealed that barley seeds were imbibed rapidly from 10.55% to 37.69% seed moisture content during 0 - 9 hours of imbibition. The constantly seed moisture content was continued until 17 hours of imbibition. Radicle was protruded with 42.74% seed moisture content. Seed moisture sorption characteristic equation was Y = 0.0055x3- 0.267x2 + 4.5931x + 13.348. Coefficient of determination (R2) was 0.916. Primed seed germination was not affected by hydrotime. Primed seeds were improved in speed of germination and seedling growth rate. The best primed barley seed vigorous was noted at 14 - 16 hours of hydrotime. In addition, catalase activity (CAT) and superoxide dismutase activity (SOD) were not significantly different for non-primed and 14 - 16 hours primed seeds. However, lipoxygenase activity (LOX) was increased and malondialdehyde (MDA) content was decreased for 14 - 16 hours primed seeds. Subsequently, 14 - 16 hours primed barley seeds can maintain high seed germination and vigor for 8 - 12 months under 5 degree Celsius. Thus, it could be concluded that hydro-priming for 14 - 16 hours enhances barley seed quality by reducing germination time, induced defenses mechanism, and could be stored for 8 - 12 months.