Amelioration of water stress by potassium fertilizer in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Drought stress is one of the major abiotic stresses in agriculture. The application of potassium mitigates the adverse effects of water stress which facilitate higher growth and yield of crop. The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of drought stress on dry weight partitioning, leaf area, leaf water potential, leaf osmotic potential, relative water content, photosynthesis, respiration and chlorophyll content in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cv. H-208. The stressed condition was conducted by withholding irrigation at different sampling stages. Water stress resulted in marked decrease in chlorophyll content, stomatal conductance hence reduction in CO2 fixation and induces reactive oxygen species formation in the genotype. Genotype of chickpea H-208 was investigated for the role of potassium on leaf area, water potential of leaf, leaf osmotic potential, relative water content, photosynthesis and respiration in alleviating water stress. Potassium was added to the soil as muriate of potash in different concentrations in addition to the existing potassium level. Water stress significantly decreased the dry weight of leaves, stem and leaf area. Potassium application significantly increased the dry weights and leaf area both under control and stressed conditions. Water potential, osmotic potential, relative water content of leaves (RWC), chlorophyll content and photosynthetic rate also decreased under stressed conditions. Application of potassium increased the relative water content of leaf, chlorophyll content and photosynthetic rate both under control and stressed conditions. Therefore, potassium in chickpea played a vital role in increasing water stress resistance and stabilizing yield