Research Journal of Recent Scie nces ______ ______________________________ ______ ____ ___ ISSN 2277 - 2502 Vol. 2 ( ISC - 2012 ), 1 16 - 119 (201 3 ) Res.J. Recent .Sci. International Science Congress Association 116 Flower numbers, Pod production, Pollen viability are Reduced with Flower and Pod abortion increased in Chickpea ( Cicer arietinum L.) under Heat stress Shukla Niharika Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Jawaharlal Nehru Agricultural University Jab alpur, INDIA Available online at: www.isca.in Received 22 nd November 2012, revised 8 th January 2012, accepted 18 th January 201 3 Abstract In chickpea ( Cicer arietinum L.) the sowing time may vary in different locations depending on the temperatures experienced at different stages of crop development. It is well adapted within temperature range of 30/15 0 C (day maximum and night minimum) for optimum growth and pod filling. The crop often experiences abnormally high tempera ture (�35 0 C) and atmospheric heat stress during reproductive stage. A large number of germplasm were physiologically characterized for thermo tolerance and screening techniques developed based on flower drop %, and pollen fertility. The objective of this research is to study the effect of high temperature during pre - and post - anthesis stages of flower development on pollen viability, flower number, pod abortion, pollen tube growth and pod set. The plants were evaluated under two contrasting environments vi z., normal and late planting. For which thirty promising genotypes were grown under three replications in RBD. High temperatures reduced pod set by reducing pollen viability and increased the flower drop percentage. Pollen from tolerant promising lines (IC C 3325 and JG 21) was fully viable at 35/20°C. The result obtained from present investigation suggested that selection for physiological traits such as pollen viability could not only improve the heat tolerance of chick pea but can also boost up the crop pr oduction under climate change, in addition to pod abortion, flower abortion is an important factor limiting yield in chickpea Keywords : Flower production, , pod set, pollen, pollen fertility, terminal heat . Introduction Chickpea ( Cicer arietinum L.) is considered one of the most drought - tolerant cool - season food legumes; heat stress still limits chickpea production. With terminal drought, seed yields can be reduced by 58 – 95% compared to irrigated plants and reductions in pod production and abortion are key factors impacting final seed yield 1,2 . It is widely cultivated under a range of climatic conditions not only in Madhya Pradesh but also in other states of India while MP ranks number one in production and productivity. Sowing time may vary in differen t locations depending on the temperatures experienced at different stages of crop development. Temperature, climate change and shifting in date of sowing are therefore the most important growth parameter that governs yield and high temperatures or heat str ess during the reproductive stage in chickpea is a major cause of yield loss. Global warming is predicted to increase temperatures by up to 5°C by the end of this century, with associated changes in mean maximum temperature. There are two types of chickpe a, namely ‘desi’ and ‘kabuli’, respectively. The desi type has small, angular, dark - brown seeds, while kabuli types have large, rams - head - shaped, light - brown seeds 3 . Both types are generally grown under rainfed conditions either on stored soil moisture in subtropical environments with summer dominant rainfall or on current rainfall in winter - dominant Mediterranean - type environments. In these environments, a water shortage and high temperature as the plant enters its reproductive phase induces the end of rep roductive development 4 - 7 . This end - of - season drought is termed ‘terminal heat stress’. Yields of kabuli chickpeas are less than desi chickpea under terminal stress and pod abortion by kabuli chickpea is more sensitive to water stress than that of desi chic kpea 2 . In the present study, promising genotypes under the chickpea project were used to investigate the effect of terminal heat on flower production and abortion, pod set, pod abortion, and seed production. Terminal drought was imposed when both cultiva rs had flower buds, flowers, and developing pods. The objectives of the study were to investigate the influence of heat stress on pollen viability secondly flower drops in regards to terminal heat stress at different stages in the thirty chickpea genotypes . Material and Methods The present investigation was carried out during Rabi 2010 - 11 under All India Coordinated Research Project on Chickpea (lead center) at seed breeding farm, College of Agriculture, JNKVV, Jabalpur (M.P). The experimental area occupie d was quite uniform in respect of topography and fertility. The main features are hot and dry summer and cold winter with occasional showers. The average rainfall is about 1400 mm, which is received mostly during July to September. The temperatures vary fr om 4.0°C minimum in January to 42°C maximum in May. Research Journal of Recent Scienc es ______ _ _ _______________________________ ______________ _ ________ ISSN 2277 - 2502 Vol. 2 ( ISC - 2012 ), 116 - 119 (201 3 ) Res.J.Recent.Sci . International Science Congress Association 117 Table - 1 List of chickpea genotypes used in the experiment S.No. Entry name Type Source S.No. Entry name Type Source 1 GG2 D Gujrat 16 ICCV07118 D ICRISAT 2 ICC3325 D ICRISAT 17 JG 16 D JNKVV 3 ICC495 8 D ICRISAT 18 JG 130 D JNKVV 4 ICC8474 D ICRISAT 19 VISHAL D Maharashtra 5 ICC9942 D ICRISAT 20 JG1 - 14 D JNKVV 6 ICC16181 D ICRISAT 21 JG 2003 - 14 - 16 D JNKVV 7 ICC16216 K ICRISAT 22 JG1307 D JNKVV 8 ICCL81248 D ICRISAT 23 MP JG 2003 - 115 D JNKVV 9 ICC V06301 K ICRISAT 24 JG 14 - 11 D JNKVV 10 ICCV06302 K ICRISAT 25 MP JG 99 - 115 D JNKVV 11 ICCV07102 D ICRISAT 26 JG 17 D JNKVV 12 ICCV07105 D ICRISAT 27 JG 18 D JNKVV 13 ICCV07109 D ICRISAT 28 JG 19 D JNKVV 14 ICCV07110 D ICRISAT 29 JG 21 D JNKVV 15 ICC V07117 D ICRISAT 30 JG 22 D JNKVV The crop season was favorable during experiment. The experimental material comprised of 30 promising lines (27 desi +3 Kabuli) of chickpea (table 1). These genotypes were grown in a Randomized Completely Block Design w ith three replications on two different dates under normal planting on 19 th November 2010 , late and very late planting on 30 th January 2011. Each Plot size was 4.0 m x 0.90m = 3.6m 2 consisting of 2 rows of 4m length, the row to row distance wa s 45 cm and plant to plant spacing was 10 cm. Fertilizer was applied in the ratio of 20N:60P 2 O 5 :40K 2 O kg/ha. The experiment was conducted with recommended agronomic practices. Observations recorded: Pollen viability: Genotypes were analyzed for pollen f ertility/viability test in the morning (8 to 10a.m). At the flowering stage pollens were ascertained by the aceto carmine stainbility test and the slides were observed under the microscope. The stained and normal size of pollen grains was recorded as ferti le, whereas, unstained and smaller were counted as sterile. Observations of pollen fertility recorded in each genotypes of the microscopic field, three times in each replication. The pollen viability (%) was calculated based on the following formula: - Flower drop: The observation was taken on three randomly selected plants of each genotype at 50% flowering. The total numbers of flowers were counted and tagged. At the time of pod initiation flowers were counted to observe how many flowers develop in pod or shed during developmental stage due to high temperature. Flower drop (%) = (Total number of flowers per plant - number of flowers dropped) x100 Result s and Discussion Environment - I (Normal planting): Pollen viability % was found close to 100% in all the genotypes of the normal planting and the viability (%) ranges from 84.32 % to 99.30 %. Maximum viability % was observed in ICCV07102 (99.30) followed by ICCV 06301 (99.21), MPJG 99 - 115(99.12), Vishal (98.91), JG 130 (98.80), JG 22(98.32), ICCV07105 (98 .32), ICCV06302 (98.25), ICC16216 (98.35) and ICCL81248 (98.13) while it was recorded minimum in ICC 8474. Out of thirty genotypes maximum flower drop percentage was recorded in JG 130 (18.33) followed by Vishal (16.32), JG - 1 - 14(15.66), ICC3325 (15.66), IC C16216 (15.22) and JG 16(15.14) and minimum in ICCV 06301(6.66) in normal planting (table 2). Environment – II (Late planting): The pollen viability % for late planting genotypes were slightly less as compare to the normal planting and it ranges from 76.3 6 % to 97.15 % .The maximum viability % was noted in genotype JG 21 (97.15) followed by JG 22 (95.12), JG 130(90.12), GG 2(89.42), MPJG 99 - 115(89.15), ICC4958 (87.81) and Vishal (87.15).The minimum viability % was accounted in the genotype ICCV 07118 (76.3 6). The maximum flower drop percentage was observed in the genotype JG 2003 - 14 - 16 (20.21) followed by Vshal (18.34) and GG2 (17.32) whereas it was noted minimum in the genotype ICC 9942 (10.12). Research Journal of Recent Scienc es ______ _ _ _______________________________ ______________ _ ________ ISSN 2277 - 2502 Vol. 2 ( ISC - 2012 ), 116 - 119 (201 3 ) Res.J.Recent.Sci . International Science Congress Association 118 Table 2 Pollen viability% and flower drop % in Normal, late and very late sown planting S.N. Entry name NORMAL PLANTING LATE PLANTING VERY LATE PLANTING Physiological characters Physiological characters Physiological characters Pollen via bility (%) Flower drop (%) Pollen via bility (%) Flower drop (%) Po llen via bility (%) Flower drop (%) 1. GG 2 95.46 14.66 89.42 17.32 79.42 17.32 2. ICC 3325 87.65 15.66 80.23 15.66 77.19 15.66 3. ICC 4958 96.83 14.66 87.81 10.36 77.81 12.36 4. ICC 8474 83.23 14.15 78.01 10.99 78.01 19.99 5. ICC 9942 96.66 12.66 80.1 2 10.12 80.12 10.12 6. ICC 16181 97.23 14.12 85.36 14.56 85.36 19.56 7. ICC 16216 98.35 15.22 84.66 16.13 74.66 19.13 8. ICCL81248 98.13 9.84 87.65 17.14 87.65 17.14 9. ICCV06301 99.21 6.66 83.25 16.98 93.25 16.98 10. ICCV 06302 98.25 14.51 79.36 16.2 5 99.36 16.25 11. ICCV 07102 99.30 10.66 81.32 16.54 81.32 16.54 12. ICCV 07105 98.32 13.15 80.25 16.32 80.25 16.32 13. ICCV 07109 94.93 11.22 81.21 16.84 81.21 16.84 14. ICCV 07110 95.99 10.66 80.21 15.32 70.21 25.32 15. ICCV 07117 94.38 11.66 80.98 14.32 70.98 14.32 16. ICCV 07118 97.61 14.52 76.36 15.32 76.36 15.32 17. JG 16 97.81 15.14 82.21 12.32 82.21 22.32 18. JG 130 98.80 18.33 90.12 16.32 80.12 16.36 19. VISHAL 98.91 16.32 87.15 18.34 77.15 28.34 20. JG 1 - 14 96.14 15.66 85.12 11.21 75.12 18.25 21. JG 2003 - 14 - 16 96.63 8.65 80.15 20.21 80.15 20.24 22. JG 1307 96.44 12.66 84.13 15.32 74.13 15.38 23. MP JG - 2003 - 115 95.58 12.66 86.13 16.32 76.13 16.35 24. JG 14 - 11 87.98 13.66 87.13 14.32 77.13 17.34 25. MP JG - 99 - 115 99.12 12.34 89.15 12.35 79.15 19.34 26. JG 17 94.12 12.14 85.13 14.32 75.13 14.37 27. JG 18 96.91 13.66 82.13 16.35 72.13 16.35 28. JG 19 84.32 13.66 80.13 16.58 80.13 16.58 29. JG 21 96.53 17.31 97.15 16.91 87.15 16.91 30. JG 22 98.32 15.12 95.12 14.82 85.12 14.82 Envir onment - III (Very late planting): The pollen viability % for very late planting genotypes were very less as compare to the late and normal planting. It ranges from 70.98 to 99.36 %. The maximum viability % was noted in genotype ICCV06302 (99.36) followed by ICCV06301 (93.25), JG 21(87.15) and ICCL 81248(87.65) and the minimum viability % was accounted in the genotype ICCV 07117 (70.98). In regards to flower drop in very late sown condition it ranged from maximum to minimum 28.34 - 10.12. The minimum flower d rop percentage was observed in the genotype ICC9942 (10.12) followed by ICC3325 (12.36), ICCVO7117 (14.32), JG 17(14.37) and JG 22(14.82) minimum was in the genotype ICC 4958 and ICC 8474. In present scenario of climate change and shifting of date of show ing the genotype having maximum viability percentage with minimum flower drop should be given due consideration either they preferred any date of showing. In normal date of sowing genotype ICCV06301 (99.21 - 6.66%) and JG 2003 - 14 - 16 (96.36 - 8.65%) exhibited maximum pollen viability with minimum flower drop indicated their importance for timely planting. Similarly in second date of sowing (late planting) genotype ICC 4958 (87.81 - 10.36%) performed better to other genotypes under study. In very late sown condi tion the genotypes ICC9942 (80.12 - 10.21%) and JG 22(85.12 - 14.82) revealed promising having maximum pollen viability with minimum flower drop. The overall study indicated that the chickpea genotypes ICCV06301, ICCV07102 and ICCVO 7105 found promising for al l three date of sowing while genotype ICC9942, ICCL81248, ICCVO6302, ICCV07109 and JG 19 were noted for late and very late planting. Conclusion The genotype suitable for late and very late indicated its importance under terminal heat condition and should given due consideration under climate change and shifting date of sowing. The present study has demonstrated that terminal drought reduced flower and pod production, increased flower and pod abortion and therefore reduced seed yield in both chickpea Research Journal of Recent Scienc es ______ _ _ _______________________________ ______________ _ ________ ISSN 2277 - 2502 Vol. 2 ( ISC - 2012 ), 116 - 119 (201 3 ) Res.J.Recent.Sci . International Science Congress Association 119 culti vars, indicating that both flower and pod abortion are important in determining seed yield. Secondly, the study showed that water deficits impaired both pollen and stigma/style function, and the impairment of pistil function was an important factor relatin g to flower abortion, while, thirdly, it showed that initiation date significantly affected flower and pod development with early - initiated flowers and pods less likely to abort, while late - initiated flowers and pods largely aborted. The present result is the results obtained by Xiangwen Fang et al 8 . References 1. Leport L . , Turner N . C . , French R . J . , Barr M . D . , Duda R . , Davies S . L . , Tennant D . and Siddique K . H . M . , Physiological responses of chickpea genotypes to terminal drought in a Mediterranean - type environment , European Journal of Agronomy 11 , 279 - 291 ( 1999 ) 2. Leport L . , Turner N . C . , Davies S . L . and Siddique K . H . M. , Variation in pod production and abortion a mong chickpea cultivars under terminal drought , European Journal of Agronomy , 24, 236 - 246 ( 2006) 3. Malhotra R . S ., Pundir R.P.S and Slinkard A . E . , Genetic resources of chickpea . In: Saxena MC, Singh KB, editors , The chickpea. Aberystwyth, UK: CAB Internationa l, 67 - 8 ( 1982) 4. Siddique K . H . M . , Brinsmead R . B . , Knight R . , Knights E . J . , Paull J . G . and Rose I . A . , Adaptation of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) and faba bean (Vicia faba L.) to Australia. In: Knight R, editor. Linking research and marketing opportunities fo r pulses in the 21st century. Dordrecht, The Netherlands : Kluwer Academic Publishers; 289 - 303 (2000) 5. Turner N . C . , Adaptation to drought: lessons from studies with chickpea , Indian Journal of Plant Physiology (Special issue) 11 – 17 (2003) 6. Turner N . C . , Agrono mic options for improving rainfall - use efficiency of crop in dryland farming systems , Journal of Experimental Botany , 55, 2413 - 2425, (2004) 7. Turner N . C . , Abbo S . , Berger J . D . , Chaturvedi S . K . , French R . J . , Ludwig C . , Mannur D . M . , Singh S . J . and Yadava H . S . , Osmotic adjustment in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) results in no yield benefit under terminal drought , Journal of Experimental Botany , 58 , 187 - 194 ( 2006) 8. Xiangwen Fang , Neil C. Turner , Guijun Yan , Fengmin and Kadambot H.M. Siddique , Flower numbers, pod pr oduction, pollen viability, and pistil function are reduced and flower and pod abortion increased in chickpea ( Cicer arietinum L.) under terminal drought , Journal of Experimental Botany , 61 ( 2 ), 335 - 345 (2009)