Crop physiological approaches to evaluate drought-resistant traits in clusterbean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba)

Abstract

An experiment was conducted during rainy (kharif) seasons of 2003 and 2004 to identify genotypes with both higher crop growth rate and dry-matter partitioning of pods and analyse the association of drought-resistance traits with yield components in clusterbean [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.] under rainfed condition. Genotypic variations for total dry matter, pod yield and seed yield were noticed. Strong relationship (r2= 0.82) between crop-growth rate determined by sequential growth analysis and crop growth rate derived on the basis of thermal time indicated that larger set of germplasm can be evaluated for higher crop and pod growth rates with ease on thermal time basis by recording phenology data, total dry matter and pod yield at maturity. Significant relationship of specific leaf area with both seed yield and relative water content suggested that low specific leaf area, a cost effective and easily measurable leaf trait, is a potential selection criterion for improving yield of clusterbean under rainfed conditions of arid zone.