SCREENING OF OSMOTIC WATER STRESS TOLERANT CHICKPEA GENOTYPES (CICER ARIETINUM L.) ON THE BASIS OF GERMINATION PARAMETERS AND ACCUMULATED SOLUBLE SUGARS AND PROLINE CONTENT

Eight kabuli chickpea genotypes (Cicer arietinum L.) Beja1, Amdoun1, Nayer, Kasseb, Bochra, FLP96-114C, FLP88-42C and Chetoui were germinated, in vitro culture, on Whatman n° 2 filter paper media at four osmotic water pressures: -0,33; -4, -6 and -8 bars as induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG 8000). Osmotic water stress negatively affected germination parameters and enhanced soluble sugars and proline accumulation. Broad genotypic variability of the chickpea cultivars was revealed with respect to osmotic water stress. At -0,33 bars, germination occurred at a high rate and exhibited elevated germinative energy. On the other hand, OWP -8 bars proved too high, as it completely inhibited chickpea germination. Soluble sugars and proline accumulation were proportional to osmotic water pressures. Hierarchical cluster analysis revealed that under high OWP (-6 bars), genotypes Beja1, Amdoun1, Nayer, FLIP96-114C and Chetoui were sensitive to the osmotic water stress; whereas, Kasseb, Bochra and FLIP88-42C were tolerant.