Journal

of
Food Legumes
Volume 32 Number 4 October-December, 2019

Indian Society of Pulses Research and Development

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EXECUTIVE COUNCIL : 2017-2020

Chief Patron Patron
Dr Trilochan Mohapatra Dr A K Singh
Co-patron
Dr NP Singh
President Vice President
Dr NP Singh Dr Guriqbal Singh
Secretary
Dr PK Katiyar
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Dr Jitendra Kumar Dr RK Mishra

Councillors

Zone I : Dr Brij Nandan, SKUAST, Samba (J&K) Zone V : Dr DK Patil, Badnapur

Zone II : Dr C Bharadwaj, IARI, New Delhi Zone VI : Dr P Jagan Mohan Rao, RARS, Warangal
Zone III : Dr Rajib Nath, BCKV, Kalyani Zone VII : Dr P Jayamani, TNAU, Coimbatore
Zone IV : Dr Baldev Ram, AU, Kota Zone VIII: Dr AK Parihar, ICAR-IIPR, Kanpur

Editor-in-Chief
Dr CS Praharaj

Editors
Dr Puran Gaur, ICRISAT, Hyderabad Dr Aditya Pratap, ICAR-IIPR, Kanpur
Dr Shiv Kumar, ICARDA, Morocco Dr Narendra Kumar, ICAR-IIPR, Kanpur
Dr BB Singh, GBPUA&T, Pantnagar Dr Naimuddin, ICAR-IIPR, Kanpur
Dr DK Agarwal, ICAR-IISS, Mau Dr Meenaal Rathore, ICAR-IIPR, Kanpur
Dr Sarvajeet Singh, PAU, Ludhiana Dr Archana Singh, ICAR-IIPR Regional Station, Bhopal
Dr J Souframanian, BARC Dr Abhishek Bohra, ICAR-IIPR, Kanpur
 Journal of Food Legumes
(Formerly Indian Journal of Pulses Research)

Vol. 32(4) October-December, 2019

CONTENTS
RESEARCH PAPERS

1. Pollen fertility restoration studies in three CMS lines carrying Cajanus cajanifolius cytoplasm under
four diverse environments 211
Sawargaonkar SL, Saxena KB, Mehtre SP and Patil DK

2. Confirmation of jumping genes controlling pod colour in pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) 216
KB Saxena

3. Differential organ specific protein profiling in chickpea cultivars under water stress condition 221
Davinder Kaur, Satvir Kaur Grewal, Jagmeet Kaur and Sarvjeet Singh

4. Protein content of mungbean [Vigna radiate (L.) Wilczek] genotypes as influenced by salinity stress 227
Manoj Katiyar and R Kumar

5. Efficacy of various priming treatments on seed quality, germination enzymes and growth of mungbean
cultivars under normal and deficit moisture conditions 231
TN Tiwari, Shivam K Patel, DP Maurya and PK Katiyar

6. Effect of different weed management practices in urdbean (Vigna mungo L.) under high rainfall and acidic
soils of North East Indian hill condition 236
KS Shashidhar, Samuel Jeberson, N Premaradhya, Amit Kumar Singh and S Bhuvaneswari

7. Scaling productivity and farm income through soybean based inter-& sequential cropping under
rainfed Central India with improved agro-technologies 242
CS Praharaj, Ram Lal Jat, Ummed Singh, SS Singh, RP Singh, R Elanchezhian and NP Singh

8. Genotypic variability for phosphorous acquisition efficiency of chickpea in P-deficient inceptisol 250
Mohan Singh, M Senthilkumar and SK Chaturvedi

9. Effects of salt tolerant Trichoderma spp. on growth and nodulation of mungbean (Vignaradiata L.) 256
Krishna Kumar, Utkarsh Singh Rathore, Sandeep Kumar, Monika Mishra, Sonika Pandey and RK Mishra

10. Pulses production in India during last three plan periods-A growth analysis 261
Devraj, Hemant Kumar, Sripad Bhat and Rajesh Kumar

SHORT COMMUNICATIONS

11. Heterosis in relation to molecular diversity in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) 264
GS Thorat, VN Toprope and PB Wadikar

12. Effect of diverse sowing methods on organic mungbean production in Bundelkhand region of India 268
Neetiraj Karotiya and B Gangwar
13. Biochemical screening of chickpea varieties against gram pod borer 272
MA Dindor and Bindu Panickar

14. Effect of different media on growth and development of Fusarium udum and Phytophthora drechsleri 277
f.sp. cajani of Pigeonpea
Deepak Kumar, Monika Mishra, Sonika Pandey, Jagat Kumar, US Rathore and RK Mishra

List of References for Vol. 32(4) 280

Journal of Food Legumes 32(4): 211-215, 2019
Pollen fertility restoration studies in three CMS lines carrying Cajanus
cajanifolius cytoplasm under four diverse environments
SAWARGAONKAR SL, SAXENA KB1, MEHTRE SP2 and PATIL DK2
Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India; 1International Crops Research Institute for
the Semi-Arid Tropics, Patancheru, Hyderabad, Telangana, India; 2 Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi
Vidhyapeeth, Parbhani, Maharashtra, India; E-mail: shrikant.sawargaonkar@gmail.com
(Received : June 6, 2019; Accepted : August 10, 2019)
ABSTRACT
Stability of pollen fertility was studied in 102 pigeonpea
[Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] cross-combinations in four
environments. The data, as revealed by aceto-carmine test,
showed that pollen fertility of the hybrids varied considerably
across the locations and three CMS lines used in crosses.
None of the testers maintained complete male sterility, but
partial male sterility restoration was frequent. The stability
analysis revealed that nine hybrids derived by crossing ICPA
2043, four by ICPA 2047, and three by ICPA 2092 were highly
stable for fertility restoration across four environments.
Seven genotypes viz., AKT 8811, BSMR 736, TV 1, BSMR
846, PHULE T-04-1-3-1, ICPL 20106 and ICP 3514 were
identified as potential male parents for breeding pigeonpea
hybrids with stable fertility restoration.
Key words: CMS lines, Maintainer, Pigeonpea hybrid,
Restorer, Stability, Testers
Male sterility is considered a unique biological gift
of nature. This single genetic phenomenon has played a
very significant role in combating global hunger through
its direct use in the exploitation of hybrid vigour; and
thereby, enhancing the crop productivity by significant
tonnage. The highly benefitted crops using the male sterility
systems are maize, sorghum, pearl millet, rice, cotton, castor,
sunflower and a number of horticultural crops.
Unfortunately, no legume crop appears in this elite group;
and it is due to their reproductive limitations in producing
cost effective cross-pollinated (hybrid) seeds. However,
an exception to this is pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.)
Millsp.]. In this crop the insect-aided natural cross-
pollination is sufficiently high to produce bulk quantities
of hybrid seed. Breeding hybrid cultivars in this crop could
not be launched due to lack of any male sterility system. A
breakthrough in this direction was achieved when Saxena
et al. (2005) reported the development of a stable
cytoplasmic nuclear male sterility (CMS) system; and this
cleared the deck for breeding hybrids in pigeonpea. The
breeders so far have released three commercial pigeonpea
hybrids with over 30% yield advantage in farmers’ fields.
To sustain the hybrid pigeonpea breeding technology, it is
imperative that new high yielding hybrids are made available
to the farmers at a regular pace. This can only be achieved
if new male parental lines with ability to restore pollen fertility
of hybrid plants under diverse environments are developed.
In the present study, therefore, efforts were made to select
promising fertility restorer lines using three different CMS
lines and four environments.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The experimental materials used in this study
involved three CMS lines (ICPA 2043, ICPA 2047 and ICPA
2092) carrying A4 (Cajanus cajanifolius) cytoplasm and 34
testers (male parents). The group of testers comprised of
13 genotypes from ICRISAT; 10 from Agricultural Research
Station, Badnapur; five from Agricultural University, Rahuri
and six from Agricultural University, Akola. One hundred
and two crosses were made in a line x tester mating design
at the Agricultural University at Parbhani. All the F1s were
sown in a randomized complete block design in two
replications at Patancheru, Parbhani, Latur and Badnapur.
Each entry was sown in a single row plot, measuring 4.2 m
in length and spaced at 75 cm. The observations on pollen
fertility (%) and other traits including days to maturity, plant
height (cm), number of primary branches, seeds/pod, 100-
seed weight (g), and yield/plant (g) were recorded on five
randomly selected plants within each plot.
For studying pollen fertility five fully grown but
unopened floral buds were harvested randomly from each
plant between 1000-1400 hrs. The anthers from each bud
were excised and squashed on glass slides and drenched
with 2% aceto-carmine solution. Each slide was examined
under light microscope in 3-4 microscopic fields and data
on pollen fertility (stained pollen grains) were recorded. A
plant was considered male fertile if its > 80% pollen grains
stained. The fertility data were transformed into arc sin
values and then analyzed using Genstat 12 edition. The
stability parameters were estimated according to model
proposed by Eberhart and Russell (1966).
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Genetic variability for pollen viability: The mean
performance of genotypes (parents and hybrids) for pollen
fertility studied was analyzed statistically, and the genotypic
differences were found to be highly significant for
individual location as well as pooled data. At Patancheru,
31 out of 37 parents showed 100% pollen fertility and were
found superior as compared to the controls BSMR 736 (97%)
and ICPH 2671 (99%). Likewise, 22 parents at Parbhani and
212 Journal of Food Legumes 32(4), 2019

at Latur; and 14 at Badnapur exhibited 100% pollen fertility.
The analysis of pooled data revealed that only four parents
viz., BSMR 846, BSMR 164, HPL 24-63, and PHULE T-00-1-
25-1 showed 100% pollen fertility.
Fertility Restoration of the CMS Lines
ICPA 2043 crosses: None of the ICPA 2043-derived cross
combinations maintained complete male sterility. There was
a considerable variation for pollen viability across the four
locations. The pollen fertility among the 34 hybrids involving
ICPA 2043 ranged from 29 to 90% at Patancheru; 38 to 90%
at Parbhani; 59 to 90% at Latur; and 54 to 90% at Badnapur
(Table 2). Overall, the mean pollen fertility of ICPA 2043
crosses at the four locations was 81%. At Patancheru out
of 34 testers used, 12 restored full pollen fertility of the
hybris. Similarly, 25 genotypes at Badnapur, 19 each at
Parbhani and Latur restored the pollen fertility of the
hybrids. The remaining hybrids at all the four locations
were partially fertile. On average, 15 (cross Check with table)
genotypes (BSMR 846, BSMR 164, BDN 2001-6, ICP 3525,
BSMR 175, BSMR 2, ICP 10934, HPL 24-63, ICP 10650, TV-
1, AKT 8811, PHULE T-04-3-1, ICP 3963, ICP 3514 and ICPL
20106) recorded > 80% pollen fertility of ICPA 2043 (Table 1).
ICPA 2047 crosses: The fertility restoration of ICPA 2047-
derived hybrids ranged between 34 to 90% at Patancheru;
38 to 90% at Parbhani; 54 to 90% at Latur; and 47 to 90% at
Badnapur. The pollen fertility data recorded at Patancheru
revealed that eight genotypes restored full pollen fertility
of the hybrids. At Parbhani 10 hybrids, and 15 hybrids at
Latur and Badnapur were fully fertile. The remaining
hybrids at the four locations were partial restorers. The
mean values across the four locations revealed that seven
genotypes (BSMR 846, BDN 2001-6, AKT 9915, ICP 3407,
BSMR 736, AKT 8811, and ICPL 20106) were fully fertile,
while the remaining ICPA 2047 hybrids with other testers
were partial restorers (Table 1).

Table 1. Pollen fertility (%) of the hybrid combinations (3 lines x34 testers) evaluated at four locations
Cytoplasmic-genetic male-sterile lines
Testers ICPA 2043 ICPA 2047 ICPA 2092
E1 E2 E3 E4 M E1 E2 E3 E4 M E1 E2 E3 E4 M
BSMR198 90 68 73 90 80 57 90 66 76 72 37 84 67 74 65
BSMR846 90 66 90 90 84 90 90 70 72 80 63 90 90 90 83
BSMR164 75 70 90 90 81 65 61 90 66 70 59 82 66 90 74
BDN 2001-6 65 90 90 90 84 71 69 90 90 80 57 66 65 59 62
ICP3525 90 90 90 90 90 39 76 90 71 69 77 56 72 60 66
BSMR175 90 90 90 90 90 36 38 90 68 58 73 71 58 90 73
BSMR2 90 90 90 90 90 69 90 70 47 69 58 90 71 70 72
ICPL12749 67 67 84 90 77 90 51 76 75 73 71 63 66 53 63
BSMR203 69 61 66 73 67 44 38 90 72 61 90 90 84 68 83
BWR154 90 38 90 90 77 36 71 63 90 65 84 62 78 90 79
BSMR571 63 90 64 68 71 63 63 90 90 77 80 90 78 70 80
ICP13991 39 42 60 90 58 80 66 74 68 72 50 67 78 84 70
ICP10934 90 90 90 90 90 90 70 74 67 75 67 62 90 90 77
HPL 24-63 73 90 90 90 86 90 61 74 90 79 56 90 75 73 73
AKT 9915 78 73 60 90 75 90 90 64 90 84 43 84 90 73 73
ICP 10650 90 90 90 90 90 65 66 84 90 76 44 65 90 74 68
ICP 3407 71 90 66 90 79 76 90 82 90 84 55 90 90 61 74
ICP3475 29 73 90 70 65 56 66 84 61 67 66 65 90 67 72
BSMR736 71 41 90 90 73 90 74 69 90 81 66 90 90 90 84
TV-1 90 90 90 90 90 90 64 71 90 79 90 70 90 90 85
AKT8811 90 90 75 76 83 90 90 72 90 85 78 72 90 68 77
PHULE T-00-1-25-1 53 90 80 90 78 72 71 76 66 71 74 62 90 77 76
PHULET-04-3-1 90 90 63 90 83 73 57 82 84 74 76 90 90 90 86
AKT 9913 65 46 90 90 73 56 71 66 61 63 90 68 75 90 81
AKT222521 68 53 90 58 67 70 84 54 69 69 90 84 61 62 74
AKT 00-12-6-4 58 90 70 75 73 60 70 82 90 75 40 68 90 74 68
ICP 3963 63 90 90 90 83 63 78 61 90 73 77 70 90 72 77
PHULE T-00-5-7-4-1 51 90 59 90 73 34 70 80 48 58 76 42 71 70 64
VIPULA 67 72 90 90 80 68 84 90 66 77 73 46 82 72 68
PHULE T-00-4-11-6-2 63 90 63 54 67 66 84 90 74 79 64 84 90 90 82
ICP11376 63 57 70 73 66 73 76 75 65 72 50 90 90 90 80
ICP3514 61 90 84 90 81 58 90 77 74 75 90 90 90 90 90
ICP3374 62 65 70 76 68 76 76 59 84 74 90 66 90 90 84
ICPL20106 90 90 65 82 82 81 78 83 82 81 90 72 90 90 85
Range 29-90 38-90 59-90 54-90 58-90 34-90 38-90 54-90 47-90 58-85 37-90 42-90 58-90 53-90 62-90
Average 81 82 89
E1 = Patancheru, E2 = Parbhani, E3 = Latur, E4 = Badnapur and M = Mean
 Sawargaonkar et al. : Pollen fertility restoration in three CMS lines carrying Cajanus cajanifolius cytoplasm 213

Table 2. Key traits of the male fertility restoring lines identified for hybrid breeding in pigeonpea
Genotype Origin Maturity Height 100 seed #Wilt #St. mos Primary Seeds/ Yield
(days) (cm) wt.(g) (%) (%) bran. pod g/plant
AKT 8811 Maharashtra 150 190 9.2 0.0 0.0 12 3.7 80.0
BSMR 736 Maharashtra 180 182 10.9 0.0 0.0 11 3.3 90.6
BSMR 846 Maharashtra 176 169 9.9 0.0 0.0 09 3.7 46.2
Phule 1-3-1 Maharashtra 168 222 10.6 0.0 0.0 10 3.5 48.7
TV 1 Maharashtra 170 190 11.5 0.0 0.0 11 3.7 153.6
ICP 3514 Uttar Pradesh 175 187 11.7 0.0 0.0 10 3.7 81.5
ICPL 20106 ICRISAT 182 283 11.9 4.0 1.0 19 4.1 91.3
# data from disease sick nursery at Patancheru.

Table 3. Pollen fertility, specific combining ability effects
and heterotic groups of the selected genotypes
Genotype Het. Pollen fertility (%)
group ICPA 2043 ICPA 2043 ICPA 2043
AKT 8811 I 83 (26.5**) 85 (NS) 77 (NS)
BSMR 736 I 73 (18.0**) 81 (11.1**) 84 (NS)
ICP 3514 I 81 (7.5**) 75 (NS) 90 (NS)
Phule 1-3-1 V 83 (5.1**) 74 (NS) 86 (8.4**)
TV 1 V 90 (6.4**) 79 (NS) 85 (7.8**)
BSMR 846 VI 84 (NS) 80 (16.0**) 83 (14.6**)
ICPL 20106 VII 82 (17.2**) 81 (3.6**) 85 (7.9**)
() SCA effects; source: Sawargaonkar (2011)
ICPA 2092 crosses: The pollen fertility among ICPA 2092-
derived hybrids ranged from 37 to 90% at Patancheru; 42 to
90% at Parbhani; 58 to 90% at Latur; and 53 to 90% at
Badnapur. Eight hybrids at Patancheru, 15 at Parbhani, 20
at Latur, and 15 at Badnapur were fully fertile. The rest of
the hybrids at these locations were partially fertile.
Overall,12 testers BSMR 846, BSMR 203, BSMR 571, BSMR
736, TV-1, PHULE T-04-1-3-1, AKT 9913, PHULE T-00-4-11-
6-2, ICP 11376, ICP 3514, ICP 3374, and ICPL 20106) were
classified as fertility restorers of ICPA 2092 while the
remaining hybrids were partial restorer (Table 1).
Fertility restoration across CMS lines and locations: A
perusal of entire pollen fertility data recorded in this study
showed that none of the 34 testers maintained complete
male sterility across with any CMS line at any location.
This suggested that each and every tester used in crosses
had some fertility restoring factor(s). At Patancheru, 12
testers with ICPA 2043, 8 each with ICPA 2047 and ICPA
2092; and at Latur, 25 testers with ICPA 2043, 14 with ICPA
2047 and 20 with ICPA 2092 were found to restore fertility.
Nineteen testers with ICPA 2043, 13 with ICPA 2047 and 19
with ICPA 2092 restored the fertility at Parbhani. At
Badnapur, 19 testers with ICPA 2043, 10 with ICPA 2047 and
15 with ICPA 2092 produced fertile hybrids.
Assessment of fertility restoration across CMS lines
and locations together showed that with ICPA 2043, 17
testers restored full pollen fertility at all the four locations.
Similarly with ICPA 2047, only seven restored the fertility at
all the four locations and these were BSMR 846, BDN 2001-
6, AKT 9915, ICPL 3407, BSMR 736, AKT 8811 and ICPL
20106. Interestingly, 12 testers with ICPA 2092 produced
fully fertile hybrid at all the four locations. Over one dozen
testers restored the fertility at three out of four locations.
The data also showed that out of 34 testers
evaluated, only AKT 8811 fully restored the pollen fertility
of both ICPA 2043 as well as ICPA 2047. BSMR 736, on the
other hand, fully restored the fertility of ICPA 2047 and
ICPA 2092. Five tester genotypes (TV 1, BSMR 846, PHULE
T-04-1-3-1, ICPL 20106 and ICP 3514) restored the pollen
fertility in the hybrids derived with ICPA 2043 and ICPA
2092. In the present study the mean pollen fertility of crosses
with the three CMS lines and 34 testers was more or less
similar. However at individual performance level, majority
of the combinations behaved differently in different
environments with respect to pollen fertility and there was
no trend was observed. This could be due to the different
types of interactions between the nuclear genetic
backgrounds of the male and/or female parents. Besides
this, variable influence of local environment on the hybrid
genotype also cannot be ruled out.
Significant variation was also observed in fertility
restoration among the hybrids derived by crossing the same
female and different male parents within and across the
locations. This corroborates the observations reported
earlier by Saxena and Kumar (2003), Saxena et al. (2005)
and Nadarajan et al. (2008) in pigeonpea. They attributed it
to the presence or absence of one or more fertility restoring
gene(s) in the testers.
The pollen fertility data recorded in this study were
also subjected to stability analysis. The results showed
that the fertility of individual tester varied considerably
over different CMS lines and locations. On the basis of
regression coefficient (bi) and mean square deviation (S2di)
from regression of the hybrids it was revealed that out of
102 cross combinations evaluated, only 16 were found to
be highly stable with unit regression and S2di =0. These
included crosses of ICPA 2043 with BSMR 2, 175, TV 1,
Vipula, AKT 8811, HPL 24-63, ICP 10934, ICP 3525 and ICP
3407. Similarly, crosses of ICPA 2047 with BSMR 846, AKT
12-6-4, ICP 10650 and ICP 3374; and crosses of ICPA 2092
with ICP 3514 and PHULE 1-3-1 were also found to highly
stable with respect to pollen fertility restoration. Of the
stable hybrids identified, 13 had pollen fertility above the
mean (76%) value and their restorers were considered good
males for hybrid breeding with wide adaptation. On the
contrary, only two hybrids had below mean pollen fertility
and such combinations can be targeted for stressed
environments (Eberhart and Russell 1966).
214 Journal of Food Legumes 32(4), 2019
Evaluation of hybrids across environments revealed
that none of the crosses completely maintained the male
sterility. However, a number of crosses were partially male
sterile and this type of expression is conditioned by some
deleterious interactions between the cytoplasmic and
nuclear genomes (Kaul, 1988). He also concluded that the
male fertility of the hybrids made on the CMS plants is
restored when some specific fertility restoring nuclear
genes, often one or two in number, are transmitted from
male (restorer) parent. Such genes have ability to overcome
the ill effects of sterility – producing genomic interactions.
At molecular level, the inter-genomic interactions
controlling the expression of male sterility/fertility are highly
complex and fragile in nature; and therefore, can be
influenced by different environmental factors such as
temperature, photo-period, radiation, plant nutrition etc. In
pigeonpea the mean temperatures during flowering period
play an important role in floral bud initiation/development,
and pollen production and their fertility. Sawargaonkar
(2011) observed that during flowering period of the
experiment the mean temperatures at all the four test
locations ranged between 22-33 oC; and this could have
played a possible interactive role in the development of
fertile pollen grains.
Saxena et al. (2011) reported that in pigeonpea
hybrids the expression of male fertility varied considerably
at different locations characterized by a significant variation
in the mean temperature. They also concluded that the
hybrids with a single dominant fertility restoring gene were
unstable with respect to pollen fertility across the locations.
On the contrary, the hybrids carrying two dominant fertility
restoring genes exhibited high levels of pollen fertility under
in the same environmental conditions. In maize for example,
four fertility restoring genes were reported and the presence
of two genes in an individual resulted in partial restoration
of male sterility (Wise et al. 1999). In an experiment Kennel
et al. (1987) demonstrated that the absence of a single major
fertility restoring gene in a hybrid plant reduced the male
fertility causing proteins by 80%. The fertility restoration
has also been associated with genes encoding pentatricopeptide
repeat proteins (Hanson and Bantolila, 2004).
Saxena et al. (2011) reported that in pigeonpea the
fertility restoration in A4 CMS system was controlled by
two duplicate dominant genes; and the presence of either
or both the genes restored pollen fertility. The hybrid plants
carrying both the dominant fertility restoration genes
demonstrated full and stable fertility restoration, On the
contrary, plants with only one fertility restoring gene
produced scanty and sticky pollen grains at some locations
leading to partial male fertility. They concluded that such
genotypes were more prone to genomic-environmental
interactions. Dundas et al. (1981) showed that the partial
male fertility/sterility in pigeonpea was a consequence of
interruption in the process of microsporogenesis and this
results in the partial collapse of tetrads.
Selection of hybrid parents: Considering the shrinking
resources and requirements of high yielding cultivars, it is
important that the breeding programmes should have sharp
objectives and smart breeding approaches. To achieve
these, it is imperative that the best possible parental
materials be selected to launch the breeding activities. The
selected parent genotypes should have traits like high
productivity, high combining ability, resistance to major
biotic and non-biotic stresses, besides the key market-
preferred traits. In case of hybrid breeding, the highest
priority of a pigeonpea breeder should be to introduce
fertility restoring gene(s), which can sustain the vagaries
of various external factors. Further, for wider adaptation of
hybrids, it is also necessary that they have high level of
resistance to most common fungal (Fusarium udum) and
viral (sterility mosaic) diseases. Therefore in the present
study, traits such as pollen fertility restoration, disease
resistance, key agronomy and market-preferred traits were
given priority in selection; and AKT 8811, BSMR 736, TV 1,
BSMR 846, PHULE T-04-1-3-1, ICP 3514 and ICPL 20106
were identified as potential male parents for breeding
pigeonpea hybrids (Table 2). These lines were not only
stable for fertility restoration across the three male sterile
lines and four locations, but also expressed significant SCA
effects in specific cross combinations. This group of testers
also represented a considerable genetic variability by
representing different heterotic groups (Table 3). The
selected seven male and three female parents would provide
good opportunities to breeders to develop medium duration
high yielding pigeonpea hybrids for local and broad
adaptation. The development of the high yielding CMS-
based commercial hybrids will provide an opportunity of
achieving the long-cherished goal of breaking the yield
barrier in pigeonpea.
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Journal of Food Legumes 32(4): 216-220, 2019
Confirmation of jumping genes controlling pod colour in pigeonpea (Cajanus
cajan L.)
KB SAXENA
International Crops Research Institute or the Semi-Arid Tropics, Patancheru, Telangana, India;
Email: kbsaxena1949@gmail.com
(Received : May 20, 2019; Accepted : August 12, 2019)
ABSTRACT
Presence of jumping genes or transposon elements
controlling pod colour in pigeonpea has not been reported
so far. Here, we observed three pod colour variants including
streaked (parental type), partially streaked, and no streaks
(green) in 19 individual plants of a germplasm accession,
ICP 3773. We did not find any definite pattern with respect
to their place of origin on the plants. Further, the study of
pod colour patterns in the progenies of 19 plants suggested
that this phenomenon could possibly involve a transposon
(‘Ds’) and an activator (‘Ac’) gene to produce irregular
variation in pod colour that otherwise remained unexplained
on the basis of Mendelian genetic inheritance. The activated
transposon was either copied or separated from its original
chromosomal site and got inserted into the gene controlling
pod colour. Such events mutated the pod colour gene(s) to
completely or partially inhibit the production of normal
parental type streaks on the pod surface.
Key words: Activator, Cajanus cajan, Pod colour, Transposon
There is a considerable genetic variation for pod
colour in pigeonpea. A perusal of pod colour variation in
pigeonpea germplasm showed that out of 13044 accessions
conserved at ICRISAT Gene Bank, 10371 (79.51%) have
pods with dark brown streaks on the entire pod surface.
Besides this, 1962 (15.04%) accessions have green pods
with no streaks, and 417 (3.2%) are characterized with dark
purple colour. The pod colour in pigeonpea is not known
to be associated with yield or any yield contributing trait.
It, however, becomes important when immature pigeonpea
pods are sold as a fresh vegetable. In comparison to
streaked pods, the green coloured pods command over
20% premium when sold as fresh vegetable. The genetic
stocks representing different pod colours breed true, but
sometimes intra-accession variation could also be observed
if they were maintained under open-pollination. This
generally happens due to their contamination by cross-
pollinating insects (Saxena et al. 2016). In a unique
observation in a pure germplasm ICP 3773 accession some
plants with pods with different pod colours were noticed.
This intra-plant pod colour variation was observed within
branches and also within bunches of pods. This paper
examines the genetic nature of this unique intra-plant pod
colour variation in pigeonpea.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The experimental material for this study involved a
field collection from Maharashtra state of India and its
conservation at ICRISAT Gene Bank with identification
number reading as P372D8-11. Later, it was designated an
accession number ICP 3773. It is a medium maturing (177
days) genotype with non-determinate growth habit and
semi-spreading plant canopy. Its flowers are yellow with
brown streaks on petals. The pods are pubescent, cylindrical
and about 5-6 cm in length with dark brown small streaks
spread on either side of the pod surface. ICP 3773 produces
light cream coloured oval seeds with 100-seeds mass of 8.5 g.
ICP 3773 was grown at ICRISAT research farm under
a seed maintenance programme from 2008 to 2010 inside
cages made of nylon nets to keep the insect pollinators
away. Each year the plantings were done in Vertisols on
ridges, spaced 75 cm apart at the onset of rainy season.
The intra-row spacing was kept at 30 cm.
Characteristically, the pods of ICP 3773 have a spread
of small dark brown streaks all over the surface. During
2010 cropping season, we observed that within the
population size of 1233 plants, 19 individual plants had
three pod colour variants (Table 1). These included the
parental type streaked pods (C), green pods with no streaks
(A), and brown streaks restricted to the proximal end
covering the first locule only (B). All the plants in this
population were indistinguishable with respect to their
phenology, plant type, flower colour, seed colour and their
size.
Table 1. Description of different pod colour types observed
within 19 individual plants of ICP 3773
Pod colour group Pod colour pattern
Streaked (C) The entire pod surface is covered with
dark brown streaks.
Partially streaked (B) Dark brown streaks present at the
proximal end of the pod, covering the first
locule. Rest of the pod surface is green.
Green (A) Green pods with no streaks.
In order to study the inheritance of this unique intra-
plant pod colour variation the 19 plants were numbered
and pods with the three colour patterns were counted (Table
2) and harvested separately. Observations on pod colour
were recorded at physiological maturity i.e. when seeds
inside the pods were fully grown but not ripe enough for
 Saxena et al. : Confirmation of jumping genes controlling pod colour in pigeonpea 217

Table 2. Distribution of pods into three colour groups in materials (Table 4) only 4 (1.7%) plants produced pods
the 19 single plants selected from ICP 3773 similar to their parents (i.e. green). Interestingly in this
Plant Green Par. str. Streaked Total pods group, majority of the plants were classified into C (34.6%),
no. pods (A) pods (B) pods (C) B+C (26.5%), or A+B+C (24.1%) groups. Besides these,
1 4 1 16 21
2 4 1 21 26
plants with other pod color combinations were also found
3 3 2 18 23 but with low frequency. Since the green pod colour in
4 6 3 19 28 pigeonpea is controlled by recessive alleles (D’ Cruz and
5 2 2 15 19 Deokar, 1970), it was supposed to breed true to the parental
6 4 2 17 23
7 5 2 14 21 type (green). Hence, the segregation observed for streaked
8 3 3 16 22 or partially streaked pods in the progenies derived from the
9 5 3 20 28 seeds harvested from green coloured pods cannot be
10 3 2 18 23
11 4 2 12 18 explained on the basis of chimaeral induction for pod colour
12 1 1 18 20 in the original population of ICP 3773.
13 2 1 16 19
14 2 2 21 25 In the progenies derived from partially streaked (B)
15 2 1 17 20 type pods (Table 5), out of 212 plants studied none inherited
16 1 2 19 22 the parental (B) type phenotype. Only one plant had all
17 2 2 13 17
18 4 2 24 30 green (A) pods. Sixty-three percent plants had the ICP 3773
19 3 4 22 29 type (C) pods and 26% plants produced both B+C type
Total 60 38 336 434 pods. The frequency of plants with A+B and A+B+C type
(%) (13.8) (8.8) (77.4) (100.0)
pods were low.
harvesting. In the subsequent rainy season, seeds from Pooled data related to the progenies of streaked
each pod type harvested from each plant were sown in podded (C group) materials (Table 6) showed that only 6
single-row plots. Within each progeny counts were made (2.5%) plants had all green (A) pods and in one plant all the
on every single plant for the pods carrying different streak pods had partial streaks (B). In contrast, majority (54%) of
patterns (Table 3) the plants had all streaked (C) pods. The proportions of
plants in A+B, B+C, A+B+C groups were 10.3%, 18.9%,
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION and 12.8%, respectively.
The data recorded on intra-plant pod colour variation According to the information available on inheritance
within the 19 selected mother plants of ICP 3773 (Table 2) of pod colour in pigeonpea, the streaked pod colour is
revealed that (i) each plant had all the three pod colour dominant over green, and its expression was controlled by
variants but their proportions varied considerably, (ii) pods one (Krauss, 1927; D’ Cruz et al. 1970) or two (Dave, 1934;
with streaked colour (C) were highest in number (336; de Menezes, 1956; D’ Cruz and Deokar, 1970; Deokaret al.
77.41%), followed by green (A) pods (60; 13.82%), and 1972) recessive genes. However, the present study revealed
partially streaked (B) pods (38; 8.76%), (iii) and there was that the inheritance of pod colour was unpredictable with
no definite pattern with respect to the site of their origin on no definite pattern. Hence it is proposed that this material
the plants. had some transposons (also known as unstable or jumping
gene), as defined by McClintock (1951), and these were
The overall information generated on pod colour
responsible for the differential expression of coloured
variation within and among the progenies derived from the
streaks on the pod surface.
19 plants (Table 3) showed the predominance of plants
having group C (49.7%) type pods. Only 11 (1.6%) plants To explain the pod colour patterns observed in this
in the entire population had all green coloured (A type) study, it is submitted that the autonomous activator (“Ac”)
pods; while the frequency of plants with partially streaked gene did not transpose the non-autonomous element
(B type) pods was very lowest (0.9%). The proportions of dissociation (“Ds”) in majority (77.41%) of the pods, and
plants carrying the combination of two pod colours (B+C), therefore, in the absence of any mutagenic reaction, all
(A+B) and (A+C) were 23.2%, 8.6% and 2.0%, respectively. such pods had parental type brown streaks. In the remaining
It was also observed that 14% of the plants had all the 98 (22.59%) pods, the “Ds” transposon was mobilized by
three (A+B+C) types of pods. Similar to the 19 mother “Ac” to the colour-imparting gene via cut and paste
plants, the distribution of pods with different streaks had mechanism, and this inhibited the development of original
no definite pattern with respect to their place of origin. brown coloured streaks on pod surface. This molecular
phenomenon resulted in mutation in the gene, which in
For better understanding of the segregation patterns,
turn stopped the development of coloured streaks on pod
the data recorded in the different pod colour progenies and
surface. This alteration in colour patterns was of two types.
discussed above were reorganized and presented in Tables
In the first case the pods remained green with no streaks;
4-6. In the progenies derived from green podded (A type)
while in the other an event of reversion of mutation occurred
218 Journal of Food Legumes 32(4), 2019

Table 3. Segregation for different pod colour type plants in the progenies of 19 single plants
Mother plant Pod color Plot no. Total plants Number of plants in pod colour group
A B C A+B A+C B+C A+B+C
1 A 1261 17 0 0 3 0 0 6 8
B 1262 3 0 0 1 1 0 0 1
C 1263 7 0 0 5 0 0 1 1
2 A 1264 7 0 0 4 1 0 1 1
B 1265 14 0 0 6 0 0 5 3
C 1266 12 0 0 4 2 0 1 5
3 A 1267 8 0 0 1 0 0 4 3
B 1268 8 1 0 4 0 1 2 0
C 1269 7 0 0 1 0 4 2 0
4 A 1270 9 1 0 3 1 0 2 2
B 1271 10 0 0 9 0 0 0 1
C 1272 14 2 0 6 0 0 1 5
5 A 1273 6 0 0 3 1 0 2 0
B 1274 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
C 1275 9 1 0 5 0 1 2 0
6 A 1276 13 0 0 5 2 2 4 0
B 1277 8 0 0 5 0 0 1 2
C 1278 13 1 0 8 1 1 0 2
7 A 1279 13 1 0 1 4 0 3 4
B 1280 17 0 0 12 1 0 4 0
C 1281 10 0 0 5 1 0 1 3
8 A 1282 12 0 0 4 2 0 4 2
B 1283 11 0 0 5 0 0 5 1
C 1284 12 0 0 6 2 0 2 2
9 A 1285 9 0 0 9 0 0 0 0
B 1286 13 0 0 6 0 0 6 1
C 1287 16 2 0 2 7 0 4 1
10 A 1288 10 0 0 1 2 0 5 2
B 1289 12 0 0 6 1 0 5 0
C 1290 16 0 0 10 0 0 5 1
11 A 1291 14 0 0 8 0 0 5 1
B 1292 6 0 0 4 0 0 2 0
C 1293 17 0 0 14 0 0 2 1
12 A 1294 12 0 1 2 4 0 2 3
B 1295 14 0 0 9 0 0 3 2
C 1296 14 0 0 6 2 0 5 1
13 A 1297 15 0 4 2 2 1 4 2
B 1298 7 0 0 3 0 0 2 2
C 1299 16 0 0 7 3 0 5 1
14 A 1300 16 0 0 10 1 2 1 2
B 1301 14 0 0 12 0 0 1 1
C 1302 16 0 0 12 1 1 1 1
15 A 1303 17 0 0 8 0 0 5 4
B 1304 16 0 0 15 0 0 1 0
C 1305 15 0 0 14 1 0 0 0
16 A 1306 15 0 0 2 5 0 3 5
B 1307 17 0 0 9 1 0 6 1
C 1308 11 0 1 5 3 1 1 0
17 A 1309 16 1 0 4 0 0 4 7
B 1310 8 0 0 6 0 0 2 0
C 1311 9 0 0 4 1 0 2 2
18 A 1312 9 1 0 1 2 0 2 3
B 1313 14 0 0 5 2 0 5 2
C 1314 14 0 0 5 1 0 6 2
19 A 1315 16 0 0 10 0 0 5 1
B 1316 16 0 0 13 0 0 3 0
C 1317 15 0 0 11 0 0 3 1
Total 234 11 6 341 59 14 159 96
% 100 1.6 0.9 49.7 8.6 2.0 23.2 14.0

and this allowed the development of streaks in the growing
pods at the proximal end. This process, for some reasons,
continued for some time only to cover only the first locule;
and the rest of the pod surface remained devoid of streaks.
It appears that in such event the gene controlling pod colour
was highly unstable. Further during the process of pod
development, first the dominant (streaked) gene mutated
to its recessive form to produce green colour and then it
mutated back for a short time to produce streaks; and once
again it reverted back to recessive form to produce green
colour.
 Saxena et al. : Confirmation of jumping genes controlling pod colour in pigeonpea 219

Table 4. Segregation in the progenies derived from seeds harvested from green (A) pods
Mother Total plants Plot no. Number of plants in different pod colour groups
plant A B C A+B A+C B+C A+B+C
1 17 1261 3 6 8
2 7 1264 4 1 1 1
3 8 1267 1 4 3
4 9 1270 1 3 1 2 2
5 6 1273 3 1 2
6 13 1276 5 2 2 4
7 13 1279 1 1 4 3 4
8 12 1282 4 2 4 2
9 9 1285 9
10 10 1288 1 2 5 2
11 14 1291 8 5 1
12 12 1294 1 2 4 2 3
13 15 1297 4 2 2 1 4 2
14 16 1300 0 1 2 1 2
15 17 1303 8 5
16 15 1306 2 5 3 5
17 16 1309 1 4 4 7
18 9 1312 1 1 2 2 3
19 16 1315 10 5 1
Total 234 4 5 71 27 5 62 46
% 100 1.7 2.1 34.6 11.5 2.1 26.5 21.4

Table 5. Segregation in the progenies derived from seeds harvested from partial streak (B) pods
Mother Total plants Plot no. Number of plants in different pod colour groups
plant A B C A+B A+C B+C A+B+C
1 3 1262 1 1 1
2 14 1265 6 5 3
3 8 1268 1 4 1 2
4 10 1271 9 1
5 6 1274 3 1 2
6 8 1277 5 1 2
7 17 1280 12 1 4
8 11 1283 5 5 1
9 13 1286 6 6 1
10 12 1289 6 1 5
11 6 1292 4 2
12 12 1295 9 3
13 7 1298 3 2 2
14 14 1301 12 1 1
15 16 1304 15 1
16 17 1307 9 1 6 1
17 8 1310 6 2
18 14 1313 5 2 5 2
19 16 1316 13 3
Total 212 1 0 133 7 1 55 15
% 100 0.5 0 62.7 3.3 0.5 25.9 7.1

This may be the first ever report about the presence
of transposable elements in pigeonpea. This proposition,
however, awaits further validation and the finding could
gather strong support from a comprehensive survey of the
available genome sequence for presence of Ac/Ds
elements. These transposable elements belong to hAT
transposon superfamily and have been reported to be
functional among 20 plant species including maize,
Arabidopsis, rice, barley etc. (Lazarowet al. 2013). Searching
genome sequence for peculiar features like terminal inverted
repeats (TIRs), target site duplication (TSD) and hexameric
repeats could lead to identification of putative Ac/Ds
elements, which will be further supported by PCR assays
demonstrating somatic excision of Ds mediated by the Ac
(Du et al. 2011). Also, propensity of these transposable
elements for insertion on exonic regions will aid to tag the
genes responsible for pod colour in pigeonpea. The finding
will have implications in pigeonpea research given the high
commercial value associated with the pod colour trait.
220 Journal of Food Legumes 32(4), 2019

Table 6. Segregation in the progenies derived from the seeds harvested from streaked (C) pods
Mother Total plants Plot no. Number of plants in different pod colour groups
plant A B C A+B A+C B+C A+B+C
1 7 1263 5 1 1
2 12 1266 4 2 1 5
3 7 1269 1 4 2
4 14 1272 2 6 1 5
5 9 1275 1 5 1 2
6 13 1278 1 8 1 1 2
7 10 1281 5 1 1 3
8 12 1284 6 2 2 2
9 16 1287 2 2 7 4 1
10 16 1290 10 5 1
11 17 1293 14 2 1
12 14 1296 6 2 5 1
13 16 1299 7 3 5 1
14 16 1302 12 1 1 1 1
15 15 1305 14 1
16 11 1308 1 5 3 1 1
17 9 1311 4 1 2 2
18 14 1314 5 1 6 2
19 15 1317 11 3 1
Total 243 6 1 130 25 4 46 31
% 100 2.5 0.4 53.5 10.3 1.7 18.9 12.8

REFERENCES Du C, Hoffman A, He L, Caronna J and Dooner H. 2011. The

D’ Cruz R and Deokar AB. 1970. Genetic studies in pigeonpea I.
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D’ Cruz R Manke BS and Deokar AB. 1970. Genetic studies in
pigeonpea IV. Rahar x Red grained. Poona Agricultural College
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Dave BB. 1934. Inheritance of characters of Cajanus indicus. Indian
Journal of Agricultural Sciences 4: 674-691
De Menezes OB. 1956. Genetics and improvement of pigeonpea
(Cajanus indicus Spreng). Ceres Mias Gerais 10(55): 20-44.
Deodkar AB, Menke SB and D’ Cruz R. 1972. Genetic studies in
pigeonpea. VI. Leaflet shape, pod and seed coat colour. Indian
Agriculturist 16: 193-197.
complete Ac/Ds transposon family of maize. BMC Genomics
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Krauss FG. 1927. Improvement of the pigeonpea: genetic analysis
of Cajanus indicus and creation of new varieties through
hybridization and selection. Journal Heredity 18: 227-232.
Lazarow K, Doll M and Kunze R. 2013. Molecular biology of maize
Ac/Ds elements: an overview. Methods Molecular Biology 1057:
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McClintock B. 1951. Mutable loci in maize. Carnegie Institution of
Washington Year Book 50: 174-181
Saxena KB, Tikle AN, Kumar RV,Choudhary AK and Bahadur
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Journal of Food Legumes 32(4): 221-226, 2019
Differential organ specific protein profiling in chickpea cultivars under water
deficit condition
DAVINDER KAUR, SATVIR KAUR GREWAL, JAGMEET KAUR and SARVJEET SINGH
Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141004, India Email: satvir_pau@pau.edu
(Received : February 10, 2019; Accepted : June 5, 2019)
ABSTRACT
Performance of chickpea is highly affected by water deficit
condition. Many proteins related to stress/defence/
detoxification and carbohydrate metabolism, and
photosynthesis are crucial for imparting tolerance to water
deficit in crops, but the correlation between the expression
of induced proteins and the level of stress tolerance has not
been established. Proteomic changes is reported in different
tissues of two chickpea cultivars differing in drought
tolerance capacity-ICC4958 (drought tolerant) and ILC3279
(drought susceptible) - at different developmental stages
under field, and at 7 days after germination (DAG) under
laboratory conditions. It revealed that average polypeptide
expression under stress was up-regulated and down-
regulated in underground system of ICC4958 and ILC3279,
respectively, as compared to control which affected the
protein expression in aboveground tissues. More pronounced
increase in polypeptide expression in leaves of ICC4958
under stress was observed at 80 DAS, the stage corresponding
to initiation of reproductive development, while stress in
leaves of ILC3279 resulted in decreased overall protein
expression. This was ultimately reflected in enhanced
protein expression under water deficit condition in mature
seeds of ICC4958 as compared to ILC3279. The study under
laboratory condition also revealed that protein expression
under water deficit is increased on an average in ICC4958
and reduced in ILC3279.
Keywords: Chickpea, Protein profile, Water deficit condition
Stress due to water deficit condition is a major
constraint limiting grain legume production particularly in
arid and semi-arid regions. Different climate models have
predicted changes in rainfall distribution and frequent
drought spells for the future (Farooq et al. 2017). Chickpea
(Cicer arietinum L.), an annual grain legume or “winter
pulse crop”, is the second most produced pulse worldwide
after dry beans (Garg et al. 2016) which restores and
maintains the soil fertility by its nitrogen fixing capability
and fits very well in various cropping patterns (Hameed et
al. 2012). The crop is grown in arid and semi arid regions
characterized with varying intensities and distribution of
crop season rainfall from almost nil to >400 mm. As a
consequence, terminal drought of varied intensities is a
major limitation to chickpea productivity (Ramamoorthy et
al. 2016). Therefore, there is a need to develop drought
tolerant cultivars for an increased productivity; and for
this understanding the contribution of various traits to
drought tolerance is necessary. A lot of research on the
role of various enzymatic and non enzymatic antioxidants
along with compatible osmolytes and various physiological
adaptations in imparting water deficit related stress tolerance
in chickpea has been reported till date. However, one major
aspect of drought tolerance ability in chickpea that needs
more attention is differential protein expression in various
vegetative and reproductive tissues under control and water
deficit condition.
Proteome of the plants is sensitive to environmental
conditions as a wide array of abiotic stresses have been
shown to cause both the upregulation and downregulation
of protein expression; and induction and suppression of
protein synthesis in plants (Sengupta et al. 2011). A study
by Kreps et al. (2002) in Arabidopsis showed that upto
30% of the transcriptome is responsive to stress and 1008
mRNAs were specifically upregulated by water deficit. Zhou
et al. (2013) revealed that differentially affected proteins in
drought tolerant and susceptible plants are directly linked
to the molecular mechanisms that plants would use to
develop tolerance to dehydration stress. Induction of new
proteins synthesis can enhance the survival under adverse
environmental situations by causing differential expression
of genetic information, resulting in changes in gene
products, including mRNA and proteins (Saijo et al. 2000,
Hayano-Kanashiro et al. 2009). These stress induced
proteins might be associated with a variety of cellular
functions, i.e. signal transduction, protein processing,
protein folding, protein degradation, redox homeostasis,
oxidative stress detoxification, cell wall modification,
metabolisms of carbon, energy, lipid, lignin and flavonoid
(Zheng et al. 2014; Hajheidari et al. 2005). Stress induced
signal pathways can either deactivate an active protein
isoform or can activate a silent protein/enzyme isoform,
either directly or by changing gene expression (Hu et al.
2012).
Compared to most other legumes, root system of
chickpea is known to be well adapted for growing under
receding soil moisture conditions and a large genetic
diversity has been reported on the root biomass as well as
rooting depth in chickpea. Therefore, we selected two
chickpea cultivars differing in their rooting system-ICC4958
(deep rooted) and ILC3279 (shallow rooted) for studying
the effect of water deficit on protein expression. In our
earlier study, we have reported different biochemical and
physiological adaptations contributing to better efficiency
of ICC4958 to combat water deficit as compared to ILC3279
chickpea cultivar (Kaur et al. 2016). The aim of the present
222 Journal of Food Legumes 32(4), 2019
research was to investigate the effect of water deficit on
the protein expression at different days after sowing (DAS)
in underground (roots and nodules), above ground (leaves)
vegetative and at different days after flowering (DAF) in
reproductive (pod wall and seeds) tissues under field
conditions and at 7 DAG (days after germination) in roots,
shoots and cotyledons under laboratory conditions in
ICC4958 and ILC3279 chickpea cultivars.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Sowing and germination of chickpea cultivars: Water
stress tolerant (ICC4958) and susceptible (ILC3279)
chickpea cultivars were sown in Randomised Block Design
in the experimental fields of Plant Breeding and Genetics in
four equal sized plots. Crop was irrigated upto 65 days
after sowing (DAS) and at 70 DAS stress due to water
deficit was created in two plots by withholding irrigation
and using rain-out shelter. The plots that received irrigation
were termed as control, while there was continuous
depletion of moisture content in water deficit plots under
rainout shelter as they were neither irrigated nor received
any rainfall. The control and water deficit plots were
separated by wide path and black polythene sheet was
inserted deep in the middle of the path to prevent horizontal
leaching of water from control to stressed plots.
Electrophoretic analysis of total proteins was performed in
roots, leaves and nodules at different days after sowing
(DAS). Uniformly developed flowers were tagged and
proteomic analysis was carried out in pod wall and
developing seeds at different days after flowering (DAF)
till maturity with 7 days interval.
For studying the proteomic analysis of these two
chickpea cultivars under laboratory conditions, these
cultivars were germinated under control and water deficit
conditions (3% mannitol) on agar based media. The seeds
of these cultivars were washed with water, surface sterilized
with 0.1% HgCl2 and again washed thoroughly with distilled
water under aseptic conditions. The seeds were then
germinated aseptically in 250 ml conical flasks on 0.8 %
agar. The flasks were then kept in an incubator at 25 ± 1 oC
in darkness for 7 days.
Extraction of proteins: Proteins from different tissues (100
mg) were extracted with 2 ml of 20 mM sodium phosphate
buffer (pH 7.5) containing 0.5% NaCl and a pinch of PVP.
The extract was centrifuged at 10,000×g for 25 minutes and
the pellet was discarded. The supernatant was used for
protein estimation by the method of Lowry et al. (1951). A
part of the supernatant having equal amount of total
protein was used for sodium dodecyl sulphate
polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE).
SDS-PAGE Electrophoresis: Supernatant samples with
equal amount of protein (100 µg) were mixed with equal
volumes of solubilizing buffer (0.5M Tris-HCl, pH 6.8,
glycerol, 10% (w/v) SDS, 2-mercaptoethanol and 0.5%
bromophenol blue) and heated for 4 min at 95°C and then it
cooled on ice. Polypeptide pattern was analyzed on 12%
SDS polyacrylamide gels according to the method of
Laemmli (1970). After completion of the electrophoresis,
the resolving proteins were prefixed by keeping the gel for
2 hour in 12.5% trichloroacetic acid followed by immersing
the gel in staining solution (0.1 g comassie blue, 100 ml of
methanol, 20 ml of acetic acid and 80 ml of distilled water).
Then, destaining was done by immersing in a mixture of
methanol: acetic acid: distilled water (125:35:340). Protein
molecular weight marker was used to analyse polypeptide
bands by Gel-Doc (Bio Rad).
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Water deficit leads to quantitative and qualitative
changes in the synthesis of polypeptides in plants by
causing tissue and organ specific differential genomic
expression (Oishi and Bewley 1992). In the present study,
band intensities in root protein profile indicate that deficit
related expression of 30.42 kDa (Rm = 0.63) and 19.36 kDa
(Rm = 0.84) polypeptide was upregulated in roots of both
the cultivars at 85 DAS with more prominent increase was
observed in 19.36 kDa band in ICC4958 (Table 1). At 100
DAS, the expression of these two polypeptides was
inhibited in roots of ICC4958, while expression of 30.42 kDa
polypeptide was inhibited and that of 19.36 kDa polypeptide
was reduced from 2.7 to 1.8% in roots of ILC3279 (Table 1).
During water stress, much of plant’s metabolism is diverted
to synthesis of stress specific protective proteins, known
as induced proteins. These proteins are responsible for
various functions, thus, affecting multiple cellular functional
pathways (Kakaei et al. 2010). In nodules of ICC4958, water
deficit resulted in induction of 19.06 kDa (Rm = 0.85)
polypeptide in nodules of ICC4958; 69.99 (Rm = 0.25) and
50 .11 (Rm = 0.40) kDa polypeptide in nodules of ILC3279,
and inhibition of 35.37 kDa polypeptide in nodules of
ICC4958 at 80 DAS as compared to control (Table 1).
Moreover relative percentage of 93.05 (4.1%), 69.99 (18.4%),
50.11 (12.0%) and 30.15 (11.0%) kDa polypeptides was
increased in nodules of ICC4958 as compared to control
3.1, 2.2, 1.8 and 0.8% respectively, and that of 30.15 was
decreased from 16.0 to 6.8% in nodules of ILC3279. Thus,
stress increased the percentage distribution of proteins in
nodules of ICC4958 as compared to that of ILC3279 that
might have contributed significantly in nodules of ICC4958
to strengthen the defence system to withstand more intense
stress condition.100 DAS in chickpea is a critical period for
reproductive development when proper water and nitrogen
supply is essential for pod wall and seed establishment.
Water deficit at this period induced 107.77 (Rm= 0.05), 93.05
kDa (Rm = 0.11) and 30.15 kDa (Rm = 0.64) polypeptide in
nodules of both the cultivars; and inhibited 35.37 kDa (Rm
= 0.56) polypeptide in both the cultivars; and 19.06 kDa
polypeptide (Rm = 0.85) in nodules of ICC4958 (Table 1). At
this stage, although relative percentage of 69.99 kDa
 Kaur et al.: Protein profiling in chickpea cultivars under water deficit condition 223

Table 1. Relative percent distribution of total proteins in roots and nodules of chickpea cultivars (ICC4958 and ILC3279)
under control and water deficit conditions at different DAS
Band no Relative Molecular wt (kDa) Per cent distribution of proteins in roots
mobility 85 DAS 100 DAS
1 2 1’ 2’ 1 2 1’ 2’
1 0.11 92.55 0.5 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.9
2 0.63 30.42 1.6 2.3 2.3 3.1 10.8 13.4 0.0 0.0
3 0.84 19.36 0.8 0.9 7.5 2.4 1.5 2.7 0.0 1.8
Band no Relative Molecular wt Per cent distribution of proteins in nodules
mobility (kDa) 80 DAS 100 DAS 120 DAS
1 2 1’ 2’ 1 2 1’ 2’ 1 2 1’ 2’
1 0.05 107.77 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.8 3.0 0.0 6.3 1.3 0.0
2 0.11 93.05 3.1 3.5 4.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 10.5 6.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
3 0.25 69.99 2.2 0.0 18.4 21.0 26.8 2.7 12.7 4.2 11.1 5.1 2.4 3.2
4 0.40 50.11 1.8 0.0 12.0 2.8 1.5 14.6 3.3 4.9 5.5 19.5 22.2 1.6
5 0.56 35.37 2.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.4 1.6 0.0 0.0 1.4 0.0 2.2 1.2
6 0.64 30.15 0.8 16.0 11.0 6.8 0.0 0.0 12.7 1.0 0.0 1.8 0.0 1.4
7 0.75 23.62 1.9 1.0 1.6 0.7 0.8 1.6 2.1 1.9 0.0 0.9 0.0 5.1
8 0.85 19.06 0.0 2.1 1.7 1.4 1.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.2 2.5 0.0 0.0

1, 2, 1’ and 2’ represent ICC4958 (control), ILC3279 (control), ICC4958 (water deficit) and ILC3279 (water deficit) respectively. The values
represent the mean of three electropheretic gel documentation.

Table 2. Relative percent distribution of total proteins in leaves of chickpea cultivars (ICC4958 and ILC3279) under control
and water deficit conditions at different DAS
Band no Relative Molecular wt Per cent distribution of proteins
mobility (kDa) 80 DAS 100 DAS 120 DAS
1 2 1’ 2’ 1 2 1’ 2’ 1 2 1’ 2’
1 0.10 95.48 0.0 0.0 1.6 1.6 2.4 2.3 1.3 2.7 0.7 1.7 2.9 1.7
2 0.45 45.47 0.0 1.2 2.1 2.0 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 4.4
3 0.51 39.82 0.0 2.0 1.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 4.1 0.0
4 0.54 36.09 0.0 1.9 0.0 1.0 0.5 0.3 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.9 0.0 0.8
5 0.61 32.21 1.3 1.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.2 0.5 0.7 0.8 1.1 1.8 0.0
6 0.66 28.56 2.7 1.3 2.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.8 0.0
7 0.75 23.52 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 2.1 0.7 2.4 1.4 1.3 1.9 1.4 3.3
8 0.82 20.78 1.3 1.2 2.0 1.5 0.9 0.8 1.4 1.1 1.1 1.8 1.7 1.9
1, 2, 1’ and 2’ represent ICC4958 (control), ILC3279 (control), ICC4958 (water deficit stress) and ILC3279 (water deficit stress), respectively.
The values represent the mean of three electropheretic gel documentation.

Table 3. Relative percent distribution of total proteins in pod wall of chickpea cultivars (ICC4958 and ILC3279) under
control and water deficit conditions at different DAF
Band Relative Molecular Per cent distribution of proteins
no mobility wt (kDa) 7 DAF 14 DAF 21 DAF 28 DAF 35 DAF
1 2 1’ 2’ 1 2 1’ 2’ 1 2 1’ 2’ 1 2 1’ 2’ 1 2 1’ 2’
1 0.12 91.20 2.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
2 0.19 77.98 0.0 1.3 2.4 2.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.5 2.6 0.0
3 0.24 70.11 2.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.5 2.3 2.2 2.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 7.3 2.4 2.4 0.0 0.0 2.4
4 0.30 60.60 0.0 2.5 2.6 2.6 8.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.4 2.4 4.9 6.8 2.4 3.2 0.0 2.4 2.4 2.5 2.7 0.0
5 0.35 55.05 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.1 2.1 2.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.4
6 0.41 47.86 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
7 0.56 34.70 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.2 2.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.9 2.2 2.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
8 0.57 30.86 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.3 2.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.4 2.3 2.2 0.0 2.2 3.1 0.0 2.7 0.0
9 0.65 28.72 2.3 2.2 2.0 2.0 2.1 2.3 2.2 2.2 2.2 6.8 2.6 2.4 2.2 2.2 2.1 2.3 3.4 2.5 2.0 2.2
10 0.69 26.67 2.4 2.2 2.0 2.1 2.1 2.2 2.2 2.1 2.1 4.7 2.1 4.1 2.5 3.9 2.1 2.4 5.2 2.1 0.0 2.3
11 0.83 19.84 9.0 2.4 2.5 10.2 2.1 2.3 2.2 2.0 2.2 2.2 2.6 7.9 2.5 0.2 7.8 2.6 10.2 2.7 2.4 8.3
12 0.86 18.48 7.2 2.5 2.4 4.7 2.3 2.3 2.2 2.1 2.3 2.9 5.0 11.3 2.5 4.1 6.2 2.6 6.6 2.8 2.4 7.2
1, 2, 1’ and 2’ represent ICC4958 (control), ILC3279 (control), ICC4958 (water deficit stress) and ILC3279 (water deficit stress), respectively.
The values represent the mean of three electropheretic gel documentation.
224 Journal of Food Legumes 32(4), 2019

Table 4: Relative percent distribution of total proteins in seeds of chickpea cultivars (ICC4958 and ILC3279) under control
and water deficit conditions at different DAF
Band Relative Molecular Per cent distribution of proteins
no mobility wt (kDa) 7 DAF 14 DAF 21 DAF 28 DAF 35 DAF
1 2 1’ 2’ 1 2 1’ 2’ 1 2 1’ 2’ 1 2 1’ 2’ 1 2 1’ 2’
1 0.22 73.57 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.7 2.4 0.0 1.6 0.0
2 0.25 68.96 2.5 2.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.1 0.0 0.0 2.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.2 0.0 0.0 2.4 0.0 0.0
3 0.28 64.48 2.5 2.4 2.4 2.4 1.1 0.0 2.4 2.4 0.0 2.4 2.4 0.0 0.0 2.3 0.0 2.7 2.4 2.4 2.4 1.7
4 0.32 59.23 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.5 2.4 2.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
5 0.37 53.73 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 3.2 1.5 2.3 1.3 0.0 2.4 2.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.7
6 0.47 43.41 2.5 2.7 2.3 2.3 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.7 1.3 2.3 1.3 2.4 2.0 2.4 2.2
7 0.63 30.65 2.5 2.5 2.8 7.1 2.6 2.7 2.5 1.8 1.4 1.6 2.3 6.2 0.0 7.9 2.6 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5
8 0.71 25.89 2.0 1.3 2.3 1.2 2.4 0.9 2.1 2.4 2.2 1.3 2.2 1.1 2.2 1.0 2.0 2.4 2.3 2.3 2.7 2.4
9 0.77 22.82 2.3 5.2 3.4 5.2 6.0 0.0 0.0 1.3 0.0 6.4 3.6 1.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.5 2.4 2.4 2.0 1.7
10 0.82 20.43 2.5 11.5 2.0 1.2 3.9 2.6 2.4 2.4 5.4 0.0 2.9 2.3 2.4 2.5 4.0 2.4 2.3 2.5 0.0 0.0
11 0.87 17.93 6.7 2.1 8.5 1.9 1.9 2.3 2.3 2.4 1.1 1.6 0.9 2.3 2.3 2.2 2.0 2.3 1.7 0.0 2.2 11.3
12 0.94 15.81 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.3 1.7 4.1 2.0 0.0 3.0 1.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
13 0.95 15.06 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.3 0.7 2.7 1.8 2.3 2.2 2.4 1.3 2.3 2.3 2.2 2.1 1.5
1, 2, 1’, 2’ represent ICC4958 (control), ILC3279 (control), ICC4958 (water deficit) and ILC3279 (water deficit) respectively. The values
represent the mean of three electropheretic gel documentation.

Table 5: Relative percent distribution of total proteins in seedling of chickpea cultivars (ICC4958 and ILC3279) under
control and water deficit conditions at 7 DAG
Band no Relative Molecular wt Per cent distribution of proteins
mobility (kDa) Control Water deficit stress
1R 1S 1C 2R 2S 2C 1R 1S 1C 2R 2S 2C
1 0.14 86.04 1.2 1.0 1.5 0.9 3.2 0.9 8.0 0.4 1.3 1.5 0.6 1.2
2 0.38 51.90 2.1 1.7 2.0 1.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
3 0.42 47.14 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.8 2.3 2.1 2.0 0.0 1.9 1.1 0.0
4 0.55 36.30 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.5
5 0.60 32.00 2.0 0.0 1.9 3.1 0.0 1.0 4.2 0.0 1.3 9.5 0.0 0.7
6 0.69 26.36 3.0 10.6 1.0 3.3 2.2 1.9 1.8 2.4 2.1 8.7 1.6 1.8
7 0.79 21.77 2.2 2.3 1.2 2.8 2.2 1.8 2.1 2.3 0.9 8.3 2.5 1.7
8 0.88 17.90 0.9 2.2 0.8 1.5 2.2 1.0 1.4 1.0 0.8 0.8 1.8 0.6
9 0.93 16.06 6.9 4.3 3.0 4.3 1.9 4.2 1.7 5.5 0.0 0.0 1.8 0.0
10 0.98 14.42 1.5 1.9 5.6 1.8 2.0 1.6 1.7 1.2 0.0 0.0 0.8 0.0
1R, 1S, 1C, 2R, 2S and 2C represent ICC4958 (roots), ICC4958 (shoots), ICC4958 (cotyledons), ILC3279 (roots), ILC3279 (shoots) and
ILC3279 (cotyledons), respectively. The values represent the mean of three electropheretic gel documentation.

polypeptide in nodules of ICC4958, was reduced from 26.8%
to 12.7% and was increased in nodules of ILC3279 from 2.7
to 4.2%, it was still much more than ILC3279 under stress
conditions. Near maturity (i.e. at 120 DAS), water deficit
resulted in induction of 107.77 kDa polypeptide in ICC4958,
35.37 kDa polypeptide in ILC3279 and inhibition of 19.06
kDa polypeptide in nodules of both the cultivars. Moreover,
relative distribution of 69.99 kDa polypeptide was reduced
from 11.1% to 2.4% in nodules of ICC4958 and from 5.1 to
3.2% in nodules of ILC3279. Relative percent distribution
of 50.11 kDa polypeptide was increased from 5.5 to 22.2%
in nodules of ICC4958 and reduced from 19.5 to 1.6 % in
nodules of ILC3279. These results indicate that on an
average polypeptide expression under stress was up
regulated and down regulated in underground system of
ICC4958 and ILC3279, respectively, as compared to control.
Variable polypeptide expression in roots and nodules
affected the polypeptide expression in leaves of both the
cultivars. Time of expression of certain proteins is also
altered under stressed conditions because mobilization of
certain polypeptides is slowed down (Samarah and Mullen
2006). In our study, initiation of stress induced 95.48 (Rm =
0.10), 45.47 (Rm = 0.45) and 39.82 (Rm = 0.51) kDa
polypeptides and inhibited the expression of 32.21
polypeptide with Rm value 0.61 in leaves of ICC4958 while
in leaves of ILC3279, initial stress induced the expression
of 95.48 and 23.52 kDa (Rm = 0.75) polypeptides and inhibited
the expression of 39.82 and 28.56 kDa polypeptides (Table
2). Thus, overall effect of initial application of stress was
induction of new polypeptides in leaves of ICC4958 and
decreased polypeptide expression in leaves of ILC3279. At
100 DAS, water deficit lead to induction of 32.21 (Rm = 0.61)
kDa polypeptide in leaves of ICC4958 (Table 2). These
newly expressed polypeptides in leaves might include
proteins involved in photosynthesis, redox regulation,
oxidative stress, signal transduction, and chaperone
activities (Hajheidari et al . 2005). Severe stress (i.e. at 120
DAS) lead to induction of 39.82 and 28.56 kDa polypeptides
and inhibition of 36.09 kDa polypeptide in leaves of ICC4958
while in leaves of ILC3279, stress induced the expression
 Kaur et al.: Protein profiling in chickpea cultivars under water deficit condition
of 45.47 kDa polypeptide; and inhibited the expression of
32.21 kDa polypeptide (Table 2). Moreover, at this stage,
stress resulted in increased relative percent distribution of
95.48 kDa polypeptide from 0.7 to 2.9%, 32.21 kDa
polypeptide from 0.8 to 1.8% and 19.56 kDa polypeptide
from 1.1 to 1.7% in leaves of ICC4958 and 23.52 kDa
polypeptide from 1.9 to 3.3% in leaves of ILC3279. These
results indicated that more pronounced increase in
polypeptide expression in ICC4958 under stress was
observed at 80 DAS as compared to 100 or 120 DAS, which
might have helped the tissue to increase photosynthesis
and fortify its defence system during initial stress stage
only, and thus, with the progression of tissue development
and stress continuation, stress adapted leaves did not
require much alteration in polypeptide profile. On the other
hand, stress in leaves of ILC3279 resulted in decreased
overall protein expression which might have affected
photosynthesis and defence system of tissue.
Based on the antioxidant response of chickpea,
Raheleh et al. (2012) reported that the flowering and podding
are more suitable stages for investigating tolerance to
drought stress in chickpea. Stress in pod wall of ICC4958 at
early developmental stages (i.e. at 7 and 14 DAF) resulted
in induction of 77.98 (Rm = 0.19), 55.05 (Rm = 0.35), 34.70
(Rm = 0.56) and 30.86 (Rm = 0.57) kDa polypeptides and
repressed the expression of 91.20 kDa (R m = 0.12)
polypeptide as compared to control (Table 3). On the other
hand, in pod wall of ILC3279 stress at early developmental
stages repressed the expression of 34.70 and 30.86 kDa
polypeptides which were later expressed at 21 DAF. At
early developmental stages (i.e. at 7 and 14 DAF), stress
reduced the relative percent distribution of 19.84 kDa
polypeptide from 9.0 to 2.5% and 18.48 k Da polypeptide
from 7.2 to 2.4 % in pod wall of ICC4958 and increased the
relative percent distribution of 19.84 kDa polypeptide from
2.4 to 10.2% and 18.48 kDa polypeptide from 2.5 to 4.7%. At
21 DAF, stress increased the relative percentage of 60.60
and 18.48 kDa polypeptide in pod wall of both the cultivars,
19.84 kDa in ILC3279, and reduced the percentage of 19.84
kDa polypeptide in ILC3279 (Table 3). Thus, on an average
protein expression in pod wall of ICC4958 was enhanced
and that in ILC3279 was down regulated during early
developmental stages. Pod wall in chickpea in addition to
providing protection from biotic and abiotic stresses
provides assimilates and nutrients that are subsequently
imported into the developing seeds (Bennett et al. 2011).
Thus enhanced expression of polypeptides in young pod
wall of ICC4958 under stress as compared to control might
have aided seed establishment and development. Water
deficit in pod wall of ICC4958 near maturity (i.e. at 28 and 35
DAF) lead to induction of 77.98 and 70.11(Rm = 0.24) kDa
polypeptides and repression of 60.60 (Rm = 0.30), 34.70 and
30.86 kDa polypeptides. On the other hand, in pod wall of
ILC3279, stress near maturity induced 70.11 and 55.05 kDa
polypeptides and repressed the expression of 77.98, 60.60
225
and 34.70 kDa polypeptides (Table 3). Moreover at this
stage, relative percentage of 19.84 kDa was increased; and
that of 60.60 and 26.67 kDa was reduced in pod wall of
ILC3279. When the pod wall reaches near maturity (i.e. at
28 and 35 DAF), pod wall had by and large fuelled seed
development and in our study stress in pod wall of both
the cultivars at this stage resulted on an average decreased
protein expression.
Water deficit during early seed developmental stages
(i.e. at 7 and 14 DAF) induced 59.23 (Rm = 0.32) kDa
polypeptide and inhibited 68.96 (Rm = 0.25), 53.73 (Rm =
0.37) and 22.82 kDa (Rm = 0.77) polypeptides in seeds of
ICC4958. On the other hand, in seeds of ILC3279 stress at
early developmental stages induced 15.81 (Rm = 0.94), 22.82
and 64.48 (Rm = 0.28) kDa polypeptides and inhibited 68.96
kDa polypeptide. Stress increased the relative percentage
of 64.48 and 17.93 (Rm = 0.87) kDa polypeptide in seeds of
ICC4958, 30.65 (Rm = 0.63) kDa polypeptide in seeds of
ILC3279, and reduced the percentage of 20.43 (Rm = 0.82)
and 30.65 kDa polypeptide in seeds of ILC3279 (Table 4).
At 21 DAF, stress induced 64.48 and 22.82 kDa polypeptide
in ICC4958, 59.23 and 20.43 (Rm = 0.82) kDa polypeptide in
ILC3279, inhibited 68.96, 43.41 (Rm = 0.47) and 15.81 kDa
polypeptide in ICC4958, and 64.48 and 15.81 kDa
polypeptide in ILC3279 (Table 4). Stress at this stage
increased the percent distribution of 30.65 kDa polypeptide
in both the cultivars, 15.06 (Rm = 0.95) kDa polypeptide in
ICC4958, 17.93 kDa polypeptide in ILC3279, and reduced
the distribution of 20.43 kDa polypeptide in ICC4958. Thus,
seeds of ICC4958 and ILC3279 responded to stress at early
developmental stage by down regulating and up regulating
protein expression, respectively. The reason for this can be
the opposite trend of protein expression observed in pod
wall of both the cultivars at this stage as certain transporters
in pod wall like AAP2 have been reported to translocate
proteins to seeds (Bennett et al. 2011). Stress near maturity
(i.e. at 28 and 35 DAF) induced 68.96, 53.73 and 30.65 kDa
polypeptide in seeds of ICC4958, and 73.57, 53.73, 22.82
and 17.93 kDa polypeptide in ILC3279; inhibited the
expression of 20.43 kDa polypeptide in seeds of both the
cultivars, 68.96 kDa polypeptide in seeds of ILC3279 (Table
4). Moreover, relative percent of 20.43 kDa polypeptide was
increased in ICC4958; and 30.65, 64.48 and 15.06 kDa
polypeptide was reduced in seeds of ILC3279 at 28 and 35
DAF. Thus, polypeptide expression was increased in mature
seeds of ICC4958 and reduced in seeds of ILC3279 near
maturity.
Proteomic analysis of these two chickpea cultivars
under laboratory conditions also revealed similar results.
Stress in roots of ICC4958 induced 47.14 (Rm = 0.42) kDa
polypeptide and inhibited the expression of 51.90 kDa (Rm
= 0.38) polypeptide. On the other hand, in roots of ILC3279,
stress induced 47.14 kDa polypeptide and repressed 51.90,
16.06 (Rm = 0.93) and 14.42 (Rm = 0.98) kDa polypeptide
(Table 5). Moreover, stress increased the relative percentage
226 Journal of Food Legumes 32(4), 2019
of 32 kDa polypeptide from 2.0 to 4.2% and decreased the
percentage of 26.36 and 16.06 kDa polypeptide from 3.0
and 6.9% to 1.8 and 1.7 %, respectively, in roots of ICC4958.
On the other hand, in roots of ILC3279, stress increased
the relative percentage of 32.00, 26.36, 21.77 kDa
polypeptide from 3.1, 3.3 and 2.8% to 9.5, 8.7 and 8.3%,
respectively, and decreased the percentage of 17.90 kDa
polypeptide from 1.5% to 0.8% as compared to control.
Thus, water deficit increased the protein expression in roots
of ICC4958 while in roots of ILC3279, stress down regulated
the polypeptide expression by either reducing the percent
distribution of some polypeptides or by inhibiting
expression of some polypeptides. Further research on the
differentially expressed polypeptides in chickpea roots
under control and water deficit conditions can provide
useful information on individual enzymes or transporters,
measuring their stress-dependent changes in quantity,
activity as well as modifications of structural polypeptide,
polypeptide-polypeptide interactions, stress dependent
polypeptide movements, de novo synthesis and controlled
degradation (Kakaei et al., 2010). In shoots of ICC4958,
47.14 kDa polypeptide was induced and 51.90 kDa
polypeptide was repressed while on an average polypeptide
expression in shoots of ILC3279 was unchanged. In
cotyledons of both the cultivars, 16.06 and 14.42 kDa
polypeptides were repressed, 51.90 and 47.14 kDa
polypeptides were repressed in cotyledons of ICC4958 and
ILC3279, respectively, while 36.30 kDa (Rm = 0.55)
polypeptide was induced in cotyledons of ILC3279 (Table
5). Moreover stress increased the relative distribution of
26.36 kda polypeptide from 1.0 to 2.1% in cotyledon of
ICC4958 and 86.04 kDa polypeptide from 0.9 to 1.2% in
cotyledons of ILC3279. These differentially expressed
polypeptides can, be assessed for their function and role
in drought tolerance and the high level of these polypeptides
can be useful as a marker for drought tolerance.
This study on differential protein expression in
different vegetative and reproductive tissues during crop
growth and in cotyledons and seedlings in tolerant and
susceptible chickpea cultivars under water stress could be
the basis for further research in identifying potential protein
markers aimed at potential targets for MAS (marker assisted
selection). Differentially expressed proteins in different
tissues can be further identified and analysed by 2D-
electrophoresis and mass spectroscopy to find out the role
of individual proteins in imparting tolerance to water deficit.
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Journal of Food Legumes 32(4): 227-230, 2019

Protein content of mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] genotypes as influenced

by salinity stress
MANOJ KATIYAR and R KUMAR
Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture & Technology, Kanpur, U.P., India;
E-mail: katiyar_manoj@yahoo.com
(Received : February 22, 2019; Accepted : June 18, 2019)

ABSTRACT into saline that is expected to have overwhelming global

Eleven genotypes of mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek]
including three farmers' preferred varieties of diverse genetic
origin were tested at 4 pH levels (8.0, 8.5, 9.0 and 9.5) in a
randomized block design (RBD) with 4 replications at Soil
Salinity Farm, Dileep Nagar, Kanpur during kharif, 2018
and summer 2019 for Protein content. With the increase in
salinity level there was a marginal reduction in protein
content in almost all the genotypes during both the seasons.
This reduction was 0.08 to 1.95 per cent during kharif season
and 0.12 to 1.99 per cent during summer season depending
upon intensity of salt stress. Among the check varieties, KM
2241, maintained its protein content in both the seasons.
The test genotype 'Jalgaon' can be utilized as source of
resistant genes in developing mungbean genotypes
possessing high protein suitable for salinity stress.
Key words: pH Levels, Protein content, Salinity Stress
Pulses are valued worldwide as a sustainable and
affordable meat alternative and are considered the second
most important food source, after cereals. They are the
‘House of Nutrients’ with a high level of good quality
protein, fiber, carbohydrates, essential macro and micro
nutrients and important vitamins. It is estimated that 20per
cent of food protein worldwide is derived from pulses.
Considering the Importance of pulses as a dietary
supplement in alleviating malnutrition across the globe,
the United Nations has declared 2016 as International Year
of Pulses.
Among pulse crops mungbean is an important short
duration crop cultivated across seasons (kharif, rabi and
spring/summer), cropping systems and a wide array of agro-
climatic conditions prevailing in the country and is a good
source of protein, carbohydrate and other essential
nutrients. The stagnant yield of this crop for several
decades has been largely attributed to the susceptibility of
varieties to various biotic and abiotic stresses. Among
abiotic stresses, salinity stress is more atrocious limiting
grain yield. Salinity stress adversely affects physiological
processes. It decreases the CO2 assimilation, stomatal
conductance of water, relative water content,
photosynthetic rate, transpiration ratio, chlorophyll content
and also seed quality. Due to natural salinity and human
interferences, the arable land is continuously transforming
effect (Saha et al., 2010). It is estimated that over 800 million
ha of land in the world are affected by both salinity and
sodicity (Munns, 2005). Evaluation of crop plants in saline
environment will certainly provide suitable material as a
source of genes that can be introgressed in salt-sensitive
genotypes through breeding (Nair et al., 2012).
Keeping in views the above facts, an effort has been
made to identify mungbean genotype(s) which show stable
performance with respect to protein content over a wide
range of salinity stress in different seasons that can be
used as parents to introduce genes providing salt resistance
in mungbean breeding aimed at nutrition improvement. No
work seems to have been done on this aspect in mungbean.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The experimental materials comprised 8 genotypes
of mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) wilczek] of diverse genetic
origin along with 3 farmers’ preferred varieties as checks
grown in randomized block design (RBD) with 4 replications
in four different fields having a pH of 8.0 (control), 8.5, 9.0
and 9.5 during kharif, 2018 and summer, 2019 seasons at
Soil Salinity Farm, Dileep Nagar, Kanpur. Each genotype
comprised 3 rows of 3 m length with inter and intra-row
spacing of 30 cm and 10 cm, respectively. Rhizobium treated
seeds were sown in July, 2018 in kharif and in March,2019
in summer season. 100 kg DAP per hectare was applied to
meet NPK requirement of the crop. After 7 days of sowing
thinning was done to maintain plant to plant spacing. Other
recommended packages of practices including plant
protection measures were adopted to grow a healthy crop.
Protein content (per cent) of seed of each genotype
from each field was estimated after harvest of the crop by
kjeldahl method. Analysis of variance was applied to
determine the significance of differences among the
genotypes and salinity level.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The analysis of variance (ANOVA) for the design of
the experiment revealed significant differences among
genotypes at all pH levels which indicated the existence of
sufficient variability among the genotypes studied.
228 Journal of Food Legumes 32(4), 2019

Table 1. Percentage reduction in protein content of different genotypes at different salinity levels during kharif, 2018 and
summer, 2019
Protein % at pH Percent reduction during Kharif 2018 Protein % at pH Percent reduction during Summer 2019
Genotype 8.0 (Control) pH 8.5 pH 9.0 pH 9.5 8.0 (Control) pH 8.5 pH 9.0 pH 9.5
Pusa Vishal 22.97 1.02 1.09 -0.52 22.52 1.69 -0.31 -0.89
EC 88 24.37 0.82 -0.49 -0.36 24.32 -0.70 -1.03 -1.23
SML 668 22.32 0.81 0.60 0.37 22.17 -0.32 -0.54 -0.09
Jalgaon 21.25 -0.11 -0.16 -0.13 22.11 -0.33 -0.33 -0.33
I 51 24.45 -1.43 -1.35 -1.35 24.15 -1.66 -1.19 -1.61
IPM 99-125 24.05 0.21 -0.21 -1.04 24.10 -0.12 -0.12 -1.99
I 10 23.70 -1.87 -1.95 -1.95 22.32 0.84 -0.45 0.84
Kopergaon 24.60 -1.02 -1.95 0.69 23.52 -0.72 -0.51 -1.06
PDM 139 (ch) 23.72 -0.8 -0.30 -1.26 24.22 -0.50 -0.62 -1.94
KM 2241 (ch) 24.70 -0.74 -0.34 -0.63 24.22 -0.41 -0.29 -0.62
IPM 02-3 (ch) 24.22 -0.83 -0.08 -1.24 24.07 0.12 -0.21 -1.87
CD (0.05) 0.514 0.274 0.219 0.201 0.526 0.310 0.296 0.278
SE (m)+_ 0.177 0.094 0.075 0.054 0.180 0.113 0.098 0.277

Jalgaon

Fig. 1. Protein content at different pH levels during kharif Fig. 2. Protein content at different pH levels during summer

During kharif season, the protein content varied from
21.25 per cent to 24.72per cent among the genotypes at pH
8.0 (control). At pH 8.5, the range was 20.27per cent to
24.57per cent, at pH 9.0, it was 20.20per cent to 24.37per
cent and at pH 9.5, the range was 20.17per cent to 24.77 per
cent. With the increase in salinity level, there was a
corresponding decrease in the magnitude of protein content
in almost all the genotypes and it varied from 0.11 per cent
to 1.87per cent at pH 8.5, 0.08per cent to 1.95per cent at pH
9.0 and 0.13per cent to 1.95per cent at pH 9.5 (Table 1). The
reduction in protein percentage may be attributed to
reduction in total nitrogen content of the seed as the salinity
increased. The results are in lines with those earlier reported
by El-Hindi and El-chamry (2005) in chery gold. Salt stress
affects de novo protein synthesis and synthesis of
ribosomes required for protein synthesis. Plants under
salinity stress produce increased level of ethylene which
inhibits the growth and physiology thus determining the
quality of grain. Genotype Jalgaon almost maintained its
protein content at all pH levels (Fig 1). Among the check
varieties KM 2241was almost stable in its protein content.
It has been reported in other studies that protein synthesis
machinery is sensitive to NaCl and increased proline
synthesis ability contribute to salt tolerance.
During summer season, the protein content for
various genotypes varied from 22.11 per cent to 24.32per
cent at pH 8.0 (control); 21.10per cent to 24.20 per cent at
pH 8.5; 21.10 per cent to 24.15 per cent at pH 9.0 and 21.10per
cent to 24.07per cent at pH 9.5. With the progressive increase
in pH level, the magnitude of reduction of protein content
also increased which varied from 0.12per cent to 1.66per
cent at pH 8.5; 0.12per cent to 1.19per cent at pH 9.0 and
0.33 per cent to 1.99per cent at pH 9.5 (Table 1). The results
are in conformity with those earlier reported by Abd El-
Waheb (2006) in Foeniculum vulgaris. Sarwat and Sherif
(2007) reported that salinity stress adversely affects amino-
acid composition,which ultimately affects protein content.
Jalgaon almost maintained its protein content at all pH
levels. KM 2241 the check variety remained stable in its
protein content with increasing level of salinity (Fig 2). It is
a established fact that plants are sensible organism have
developed sophisticated regulatory systems to respond to
changing environmental conditions and overcoming
different stresses. Plants respond to abiotic stresses by
various cellular processes that involve stress sensing,
different signaling pathways and changes in gene expression
and modulated by new cellular state that may increase the
 Katiyar & Kumar : Protein content of mungbean genotypes under salinity stress
Table 2. Low and high tolerant genotypes for protein content at different pH levels
Season/pH level Low tolerant genotypes
A. Kharif season
pH 8.0 Pusa Vishal, SML 668, Jalgaon, I 10, PDM 139
pH 8.5 I 51, I 10, Kopergaon, KM 2241
pH 9.0 I 51, Kopergaon
pH 9.5 Pusa Vishal, IPM 99-125, I 10, I 51
B. Summer season
pH 8.0 Pusa Vishal, SML 668, Jalgaon, I 10
pH 8.5 I 51, EC 88, Kopergaon, PDM 139, KM 2241
pH 9.0 Kopergaon
pH 9.5 Pusa Vishal, IPM 99-125, Kopergaon, I 51, EC 88
tolerance to the stress, allowing plants to survive under
unfavorable conditions(Munns and Tester, 2008)
Low tolerant and high tolerant genotypes with
respect to protein content at various pH levels during kharif
and summer seasons are presented in Table 2. It is evident
from table that with the increasing level of salt stress over
pH 8.0; I 51, I 10 and Kopergaon during kharif season and
EC 88, I 51 and Kopergaon during summer season were the
highly susceptible genotypes. EC 88, IPM 99-125, Pusa
Vishal, SML 668 and Jalgaon at pH 8.5; EC 88, IPM 99-125,
Pusa Vishal, SML 668, Jalgaon and IPM 02-3 at pH 9.0 and
EC 88, SML 668, Kopergaon and Jalgaon at pH 9.5 were
highly stable genotypes during kharif season. Similar
results have also been reported by Sehrawat et al. 2013a,
2013b, 2013c, 2013d in mungbean. During summer season,
which is a very harsh environment due to high temperature,
I 10, IPM 99-125, Pusa Vishal, SML 668, Jalgaon and IPM
02-3 at pH 8.5; IPM 99-125, Pusa Vishal, I 10, SML 668 and
Jalgaon at pH 9.0 and Jalgaon, SML 668 and I 10 exhibited
least reduction in protein content with increasing level of
salinity which indicates the considerable adaptability of
the genotypes to stress conditions. Salt stress caused low
intra-cellular water potential and water scarcity around the
root zone due to which roots failed to absorb sufficient
water and nutrients for adequate seed and its constituents
development. Growth inhibition under salt stress may be
due to the diversion of energy from growth to maintenance
(Greenway and Gibbs, 2003). Salinity stress causes swelling
of membranes of chloroplasts of sensitive plants which
affects photosynthetic rate and ultimately protein content
of the seeds or it occurs due to excess ions (Na+ and Cl¯) in
leaves which induces loss of chlorophylls (Wahid et al.,
2004, Arulbalachandran et al. 2009). Accumulation of toxic
ions under salinity stress reduced the water and osmotic
potential that further caused disturbances in
photosynthetic process and ultimately reduces the seed
quality.
Looking at the results of both the seasons, it is
evident that with the increase in salinity stress, there was a
corresponding decrease in protein content in all the
genotypes but this decrease was comparatively less during
summer season in spite of the fact that besides salinity
229
High tolerant genotypes
EC 88, I 51, IPM 99-125, KM 2241, IPM 02-3, Kopergaon
EC 88, IPM 99-125, Pusa Vishal, SML 668, PDM 139, Jalgaon
EC 88, IPM 99-125, Pusa Vishal, SML 668, Jalgaon, IPM 02-3
EC 88, SML 668, Kopergaon, Jalgaon
EC 88, I 51, IPM 99-125, PDM 139, KM 2241, IPM 02-3, Kopergaon
I 10, IPM 99-125, Pusa Vishal, SML 668, Jalgaon, IPM 02-3
IPM 99-125, Pusa Vishal, I 10, SML 668, Jalgaon
Jalgaon, SML 668, I 10
stress, prevailing of high temperature caused environment
more harsh. This suggests that screening of genotypes
during summer season is quite useful. Similar results have
also been reported by Sehrawat et al (2015) for physiological
traits and yield components in mungbean. Jalgaon, a
genotype, of course, with low protein content, demonstrated
its stability over increasing intensity of salinity, could be a
good source for use in breeding programme of mungbean
aimed at developing cultivars with better nutritional quality.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The senior author gratefully acknowledge the
financial support provided by Council of Science and
Technology, U.P. Lucknow, for carrying out this research
work.
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Journal of Food Legumes 32(4): 231-235, 2019
Efficacy of various priming treatments on seed quality, germination enzymes
and growth of mungbean cultivars under normal and deficit moisture conditions
TN TIWARI1, SHIVAM K PATEL2, DP MAURYA2 and PK KATIYAR1
1
ICAR-Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India; 2Sam Higginbottom University of
Agriculture, Technology; and Sciences, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India; Email: tntdsr@gmail.com
(Received : April 2, 2019; Accepted : July 19, 2019)
ABSTRACT
An experiment with four priming levels (control, tap water,
0.2% KNO3 and 100 ppm GA3), three mungbean varieties
(Virat, Samrat and Meha), and two moisture levels (normal
and drought) was conducted during summer 2018 to find out
the suitable and cheaper priming technology for seed. The
seed quality parameters significantly improved with the
priming treatments in all the varieties evaluated under both
normal and drought conditions. Amongst the treatments,
100 ppm GA 3 showed the highest improvement in
germination per cent, root, shoot and seedling length, and
vigour-I, whereas KNO3(0.2%) showed maximum seedling
dry weight and Vigour-II. All the seed quality parameters
showed deterioration under drought condition. The
improvement in seedling vigour I & II due to treatment over
their respective control was higher in drought condition in
variety Virat followed by Meha. However, variety Samrat
showed relatively less improvement under drought due to
its poor response to priming agents against water deficit
condition. Germination enzymes including alpha amylase and
protease also showed improvement in their activities; and
maximum activity of these was recorded with GA 3 under
both normal and drought conditions.
Key word: Germination Enzymes, Mungbean, Priming Agents
Poor crop establishment is a major constraint for
mungbean production and high yields can be associated
with early vigour (Kumar et al. 2002). Unfavorable
environmental conditions are major cause of poor stand
establishment and low crop yield. One of the ways for
achieving good crop stand, enhancing biological nitrogen
fixation capacity of legumes and getting more benefit from
low fertile soils is seed priming which is a technique for
initiating the germination process but radicle emergence
does not occur. Seed priming is a technique for improving
seed germination or seedling growth. It permits seedling
development in a wide range of agro-climatic conditions
and decreases sensitivity to external factors.Seed
performance of various crops can be improved by inclusion
of plant growth regulators and hormones during priming
and other pre-sowing treatments (Lee et al. 1998). Seed
priming with different in-organic salt including KNO3,
Mg(NO3)2 and MgSO4etc has been reported to improve the
germination, speed of emergence, seedling vigour, growth
and yield of different field and pulse crops but the
information on the response of tapwater, KNO3 and PGR
like GA3 in pulses especially mungbean scarce. Thus,
keeping in view of above facts into consideration the present
investigation was undertaken with the objectives to find
out the suitable and cheaper agents for seed priming that
enhance the seed quality parameters, germination enzymes
activity and growth of mungbean varieties under normal
and moisture deficit Conditions.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A pot experiment was conducted during summer
season of 2018 at the research farm of ICAR-IIPR, Kanpur.
One-year-old seeds of mungbean varieties (Virat, Samrat
and Meha) were collected ICAR-IIPR, Kanpur. The
collected seeds were primed with Tap water, solution of
KNO3 (0.2%) and solution of GA3 (100ppm) separately for
06 hr keeping one set as unprimed control. Total 240 seeds
were taken for each variety of mungbean for germination
under normal and drought condition using the method
described by ISTA procedures(Anon 1999). After sowing,
the germination count was started just after one day and
counted up to seventh day.The shoot length was measured
from collar region to the base of uppermost leaf and root
length from the collar region to the tip of the primary root,
sum of shoot and root length constitute the seedling length
and mean was calculated and expressed in centimeters.The
seedlings used for seedling length measurement were used
for estimating dry weight. They were dried in a hot air oven
maintained at 80 ± 2oC for 24 hours (ISTA, 1990). After
drying, the weight of 10 dry seedlings was recorded and
the mean seedling dry weight was calculated and expressed
in milligrams.Vigour I of the seeds was assessed based on
germination percentage x seedling length and vigour II was
assessed based an germination % x seedling dry weight as
suggested by Abdul-Bakiand Anderson (1973) and
expressed in whole number.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Seed Quality parameters and crop growth: Seed priming
of one-year-old mungbean verities with tap water, in-organic
salts (KNO3,0.2%)and plant growth regulator (GA3 100ppm),
significantly enhanced the germination % over unprimed
control (Table 1). Among the treatments, seed priming with
GA3 displayed maximum seed germination (86%) which was
at par with KNO3 (85%) under normal condition and under
drought condition, it was 80% with GA3 and 78% with
232 Journal of Food Legumes 32(4), 2019

KNO3 and both were statistically at par. All three varieties was1.48g with KNO3(0.2%) and 1.34g with GA3(100ppm)
of mung bean evaluated responded well to priming treatment which were statistically at par. Among the treatments
and the germination percent significantly decreased under maximum seedling dry weight was recorded with KNO3
drought condition. The interaction between varieties and (0.2%) followed by GA3 (100ppm) under normal as well as
treatments was insignificant. The maximum germination drought condition. Moisture level significantly decreased
(96%) was recorded in variety virat with GA 3. The the seedling dry weight under drought condition. All the
magnitude of improvement in germination were 13.63, 28.78 varieties significantly differed in their seedling dry weight
and 30.30% with tap water, KNO3 and GA3under normal under both normal and drought conditions. The magnitude
condition and 23.63,41.81 and 45.45 % with tap water, KNO3 of improvement in seedling dry weight were 2.222, 14.074
and GA3 under drought condition respectively over control. and 17.777 % with tap water, KNO3(0.2%) and GA3(100ppm)
Seedling length is (Table. 1)increased significantly under normal condition and 7.500, 23.333 and 11.666% with
by the priming treatments in all the varieties evaluated under tap water, KNO3(0.2%) and GA3(100ppm) under drought
both normal and drought condition. Maximum seedling condition, respectively over control.
length was observed with GA3(100ppm) (24.65 cm) followed The priming treatments including tap water,
by KNO3(0.2%) (24.31 cm), tapwater (20.43 cm) over KNO3(0.2%) and GA3 (100ppm)considerably increased the
unprimed control (18.44 cm) under normal condition. vigour index I in all the varieties evaluated under normal
Whereas under drought condition it was (22.20 cm) with and drought condition(Table 2). Among the treatments
KNO3(0.2%), (21.70 cm) with GA3(100ppm) (20.62 cm)with priming with KNO3(0.2%) displayed highest vigour index I
tap water. All the varieties evaluated significantly differ in in normal as well as drought conditionwhich was followed
their seedling length and maximum seedling length was by GA3(100ppm) priming.Among the varieties, Samrat
recorded with variety Samrat (25.40) under normal and showed maximum vigour index I followed by Virat under
(24.88) under drought. The interactionsV×T, V×M, T×M drought condition. The vigour index I was slightly reduced
and V×T×M are not significant. Improvement due to the due to moisture deficit. The % improvement in vigour index
treatments were10.79,31.83 and 33.63 % with tap water, I over control was higher under normal condition in all the
KNO3(0.2%)and GA3(100ppm) under normal condition and varieties evaluated.
18.64% ,27.73% and 62.18% with tap water, KNO3 (0.2%) Vigour index II which is the multiple of germination
and GA3(100ppm) under drought condition respectively % x seedling dry weight (Table 3) considerably increased
over respective control. with priming of KNO3 followed by GA3 and tap water under
Seedling dry weight in all the varieties(Table 1) was normal and drought condition. Varieties evaluated were
also significantly enhanced by the priming treatments. remarkably differed in their vigour index II and maximum
Among treatments the maximum seedling dry weight was vigour index II was recorded with Virat and minimum with
recorded withGA3(100ppm)(1.59g) followed by KNO3 (0.2%) Meha. All the varieties showed deterioration in their vigour
(1.54g) under normal and under drought condition, it index II when grown in the water deficit condition. Maximum
Table 1. Effects of seed priming agents on Germination %, seedling length and seedling dry weight in mungbean
Treatment N (M1) D (M2)
V1 V2 V3 Mean V1 V2 V3 Mean Average
Control 73 70 56 66 60 66 40 55 60.5
Priming With Tap water 80 80 66 75 70 76 60 68 71
Priming With KNO3 (0.2%) 93 86 76 85 86 83 66 78 81
Priming With GA3 (100ppm) 96 86 76 86 86 83 73 80 83
MEAN 85.5 80.5 68.5 75.5 77.0 59.7
Sources LSD
V 0.697 V×T 1.395 NS V×T×M 1.973 NS
T 0.805 V×M 0.986 NS C.V. 16.054
M 0.569 NS T×M 1.139 NS
V: Variety; M: moisture condition in soil (normal and drought);M: Priming
Table 2. Effects of seed priming agents on Seedling length in (cm) in mungbean
Treatment N (M1) D (M2)
V1 V2 V3 Mean V1 V2 V3 Mean Average
Control 14.40 19.02 21.92 18.44 13.65 21.10 17.39 17.38 17.91
Priming With Tap water 15.83 23.30 22.16 20.43 16.69 26.20 18.99 20.62 20.52
Priming With KNO3 (0.2%) 20.59 29.50 22.84 24.31 20.66 26.06 19.90 22.20 23.25
Priming With GA3 (100ppm) 21.10 29.81 23.04 24.65 20.28 26.18 18.65 21.70 23.17
MEAN 17.98 25.40 22.49 17.82 24.88 18.73
Sources LSD
V 1.544 V×T 3.089 NS V×T×M 4.369 NS
T 1.783 V×M 2.184 NS C.V. 12.544
M 1.261 NS T×M 2.522 NS
V: Variety; M: moisture condition in soil (normal and drought);M: Priming
 Tiwari et. al.: Efficacy of various priming agents in mungbean under normal and deficit moisture conditions 233

Table 3.Effects of seed priming agents on Seedling dry weight in (gm) in mungbean
Treatment N (M1) D (M2)
V1 V2 V3 Mean V1 V2 V3 Mean Average
Control 1.59 1.28 1.19 1.35 1.25 1.20 1.15 1.20 1.27
Priming With Tap water 1.59 1.32 1.25 1.38 1.45 1.19 1.24 1.29 1.33
Priming With KNO3 (0.2%) 1.66 1.51 1.45 1.54 1.68 1.48 1.29 1.48 1.51
Priming With GA3 (100ppm) 1.85 1.59 1.35 1.59 1.52 1.34 1.18 1.34 1.46
MEAN 1.67 1.42 1.31 1.47 1.30 1.21
Sources LSD
V 0.083 V×T 0.166 NS V×T×M 0.235 NS
T 0.096 V×M 0.117 NS C.V. 10.199
M 0.067 T×M 0.135 NS
V: Variety; M: moisture condition in soil (normal and drought);M: Priming

Table 4. Effects of seed priming agents on Vigour index I and vigour II in mungbean
Treatment N (M1) D (M2)
V1 V2 V3 Mean V1 V2 V3 Mean Average
Control 1051.2 1331.4 1227.5 1203.36 996.4 1477.0 973.8 1149.06 1176.21
Priming With Tap water 1266.4 1864.0 1462.5 1530.96 1335.2 2096.0 1253.3 1561.50 1546.23
Priming With KNO3 (0.2%) 1914.8 2537.0 17.35.8 2225.90 1921.3 2241.1 1512.4 1891.60 2058.75
Priming With GA3 (100ppm) 2025.6 2563.6 1751.0 2113.40 1946.8 2251.4 1417.4 1871.86 1992.63
MEAN 1564.5 2074.00 1480.33 1549.92 2016.37 1289.22
V: Variety; M: moisture condition in soil (normal and drought);M: Priming

improvement in vigour index II was 59.213 with KNO3(0.2%)
whereas the improvement with GA 3 under drought
condition was 46.39 and it was lower than KNO3 (0.2%).
Field emergence data followed the trend of germination
recorded in the laboratory. The priming treatments including
tap water, KNO3(0.2%) and GA3 (100ppm) significantly
improved the field emergence in all the varieties studied
under normal as well as water deficit condition (Table3)
The deterioration in field emergence under drought
condition was not significant over normal indicating the
role of priming in improving the field emergence. The field
emergence of variety Virat was higher under normal
condition but under drought condition the maximum field
emergence was observed in Samrat variety. Lowest field
emergence was recorded in variety Meha. Interaction V×T,
V×M, T×M and V×T×M were not significant.
Similar findings have also been reported by Tiwari et
al.2013 and 2015 in mungbean and Tiwari et al. 2014 in
pigeonpea, and have explained that Osmo-priming with
various chemicals to seeds eventually enhances rate of
seed germination and encourages fast emergence of
seedling in field and this might have led to an improvement
in subsequent phases of plant growth and ultimately to
higher yield of crop. This is well known that during soaking
of seed in Mg (NO3)2 or KNO3 solution the cations Mg++ or
K+ and anions NO3-in fluxed in the seeds and showed their
carry over effect during vegetative growth period and
consequently yield increased. Maximum enhancement in
seed quality parameters was noted with GA3which might
be the result of osmo- priming that imbibed the seeds and
initiate the early stages of germination being osmo-lite and
key hormones for germination.

Table 5. Effects of seed priming agents on á Amylases and protease activity (mg/ml maltose) in mung bean
Treatment N (M1) D (M2)
V1 V2 V3 Mean V1 V2 V3 Mean Average
Control 0.8 0.6 1.0 0.8 0.72 0.56 0.90 0.72 0.76
Priming with Tap water 1.1 0.6 1.1 0.9 1.01 0.54 1.02 0.85 0.87
Priming with KNO3 (0.2%) 1.3 0.8 1.5 1.2 1.24 0.76 1.41 1.13 1.16
Priming with GA3 (100ppm) 1.6 0.8 1.6 1.3 1.52 0.75 1.52 1.26 1.28
MEAN 1.2 0.7 1.3 1.12 0.65 1.21

Table 6. Effects of seed priming agents on Vigour index II in mung bean

Treatment N (M1) D (M2)
V1 V2 V3 Mean V1 V2 V3 Mean Average
Control 116.14 89.67 67.08 90.96 91.25 84 64.4 79.88 85.42
Priming With Tap water 127.92 105.92 82.83 105.55 116 95.2 81.84 97.68 101.61
Priming With KNO3 (0.2%) 154.75 130.46 110.27 131.82 156.24 127.28 98.04 127.18 129.50
Priming With GA3 (100ppm) 178.46 137.17 102.98 139.53 145.92 115.24 89.68 116.94 128.23
MEAN 144.31 115.80 90.79 127.35 105.43 83.49
V: Variety; M: moisture condition in soil (normal and drought);M: Priming
234 Journal of Food Legumes 32(4), 2019

Table 7. Effects of seed priming agents on field emergence and plant height in mung bean
Treatment N (M1) D (M2)
V1 V2 V3 Mean V1 V2 V3 Mean Average
Control 6.0 6.3 4.6 5.6 5.0 6.3 3.6 4.9 5.2
Priming With Tap water 8.0 8.0 6.6 7.5 6.6 7.0 5.3 6.3 6.9
Priming With KNO3 (0.2%) 9.0 8.6 7.6 8.4 8.3 7.6 6.0 7.3 7.8
Priming With GA3 (100ppm) 9.0 8.6 7.6 8.4 8.3 8.0 6.3 7.5 7.9
MEAN 8.0 7.8 6.6 7.0 7.2 5.3
Sources LSD
V 0.638 V×T 1.276 NS V×T×M 1.804 NS
T 0.736 V×M 0.902 NS C.V. 15.610
M 0.520 NS T×M 1.041 NS

Table 8. Effects of seed priming agents on Plant height (cm) in mung bean
Treatment N (M1) D (M2)
V1 V2 V3 Mean V1 V2 V3 Mean Average
Control 1.59 1.28 1.19 1.35 1.25 1.20 1.15 1.20 1.27
Priming With Tap water 1.59 1.32 1.25 1.38 1.45 1.19 1.24 1.29 1.33
Priming With KNO3 (0.2%) 1.66 1.51 1.45 1.54 1.68 1.48 1.29 1.48 1.51
Priming With GA3 (100ppm) 1.85 1.59 1.35 1.59 1.52 1.34 1.18 1.34 1.46
MEAN 1.67 1.42 1.31 1.47 1.30 1.21
Sources LSD
V 0.083 V×T 0.166 NS V×T×M 0.235 NS
T 0.096 V×M 0.117 NS C.V. 10.199
M 0.067 T×M 0.135 NS
V: Variety; M: moisture condition in soil (normal and drought);M: Priming
Table 9. Effects of seed priming agents on Protease activity (µ mol of tyrosine consumed) inmung bean
Treatment N (M1) D (M2)
V1 V2 V3 Mean V1 V2 V3 Mean Average
Control 0.45 0.35 0.40 0.40 0.36 0.27 0.32 0.31 0.35
Priming With Tap water 0.46 0.38 0.45 0.43 0.37 0.29 0.37 0.34 0.38
Priming With KNO3 (0.2%) 0.46 0.42 0.45 0.44 0.38 0.34 0.36 0.36 0.40
Priming With GA3 (100ppm) 0.47 0.46 0.46 0.46 0.39 0.37 0.38 0.38 0.42
MEAN 0.46 0.40 0.44 0.37 0.31 0.35
V: Variety; M: moisture condition in soil (normal and drought); M: Priming
Priming with tap water, KNO3, (0.2%) and GA3 Protease activity: The activity of protease enzyme was
(100ppm)significantly enhanced the plant height in varieties also enhanced with priming treatment over the respective
Virat and Samrat under normal condition. But variety Meha control under normal as well as drought condition (Table
showed only the improvement in plant height with only 4). Among the treatments, maximum protease activity was
GA3(100ppm) under drought condition. The plant height recorded with GA3(100ppm) followed by KNO3 (0.2%).. In
was increased with KNO3(0.2%) and GA3 in all the varieties varieties, highest protease activity was recorded in Virat
evaluated. Among the varieties Virat showed superiority in under both normal and drought condition. Activities of
plant height over rest of the variety under normal as well as protease enzyme in all the varieties evaluated were reduced
drought condition. The moisture level did not affect the under drought condition in comparison to normal condition
plant height in any of the varieties. Interaction V×T, V×M, but percentimprovement in protease enzyme activity was
T×M and V×T×M were not significant. higher under drought condition over their respective control
indicating the role of priming treatment under scarcity of
Biochemical attributes water.
 amylase activity:  amylase activityof newly Alpha amylase plays an important role in hydrolyzing
germinated seedling was improved with primary treatments the endosperm starch into sugars, which provide the energy
under normal as well as drought condition (Table 4). Among for the growth of roots and shoots (Kaneko et al., 2002).
the treatments, GA3(100ppm) priming showed highest  Our results are in line with the findings of Afzal et al. (2009)
amylase activity followed by KNO3(0. 2%). The activity of who reported that increased á-amylase activity resulted in
 amylase was slightly reduced under drought condition increased contents of total and reducing sugars subjected
when compared with normal condition. Among the varieties, to priming in marigold and Ashraf and Foolad (2005) in
maximum  amylase activity was recorded with variety Meha wheat and barley. In mungbean priming with plant growth
followed by Virat. Percent improvement in  amylase activity regulator particularly GA3 markedly increased the alpha
due to treatments over their respective control were higher amylase activity and showed the positive correlation with
under drought condition as compared to normal. germination percent and field emergence (Tiwari et al. 2015).
 Tiwari et. al.: Efficacy of various priming agents in mungbean under normal and deficit moisture conditions
Alpha amylase and Protease are the key enzymes of
seed germination process and they were enhanced with
GA3 and KNO3 priming might be due to their positive effect
and involvement in activation process induced through
priming. Conclusively treatment of GA3 @100ppm performs
better than rest of the treatments in respect of all the
characters studied. Improvement in growth parameters
might be the result of exogenous application of plant growth
regulators through seed priming which could enhanced
the seed quality parameters during seedling stage by
enhancing the process of cell enlargement, cell division
and activities of several enzymes involved in germination
process and growth of newly emerged seedlings. These
results are also in harmony with the studies of Harris et al.
2004 in maize, rice and chickpea, and Rashid et al. 2004 in
mungbean.
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Journal of Food Legumes 32(4): 236-241, 2019
Effect of different weed management practices in urdbean (Vigna mungo L.)
under high rainfall and acidic soils of North East Indian hill condition
KS SHASHIDHAR, SAMUEL JEBERSON, N PREMARADHYA, AMIT KUMAR SINGH and
S BHUVANESWARI1
Central Agricultural University, Imphal, Manipur, India; 1ICAR research complex for NEH region, Lamphelpat,
Imphal, Manipur, India; E-mail: shashiuas@gmail.com
(Received : August 27, 2019; Accepted : October 15, 2019)
ABSTRACT
A field experiment to study the effect of different weed
management practices in urdbean under acidic soils was
carried out at CAU Research Farm, Imphal, Manipur during
rainy seasons of 2013, 2014 and 2015. It was laid out in
randomized block design with nine weed management
treatments viz., pre-emergence application of pendimethalin
30 EC 1 kg a.i./ha (T1), pendimethalin 30 EC + imazethapyr
2 EC 1 kg a.i./ha (T2), T1 + quizalofop-p-ethyl 75 g a.i./ha as
post emergence application (T3), T2 + quizalofop-p-ethyl 75
g a.i./ha as post emergence application (T4), T1 + imazethapyr
55 g a.i./ha (T5), T1 + hand weeding at 30 DAS (T6), T2 +
hand weeding at 30 DAS (T7), and twice hand weeding at 20
and 40 DAS (T8). The results indicated that the plots with
twice hand weeding at 20 & 40 DAS had significantly lower
weed population, weed dry matter and weed control efficiency
followed by those where pre-emergence application of
pendimethalin + imazathapyr 1 kg a.i./ha + hand weeding
at 25 DAS were carried out. Significantly higher number of
pods per plant, seed and stover yield, and growth attributes,
like plant height and branches per plant were recorded in
hand weeded plots. . It is inferred that pre-emergence
application of ready-mix pendimethalin + imazethapyr 1 kg
a. i. per ha + one hand weeding at 30 DAS may be
recommended in controlling weeds under high rainfall North
East Indian hill conditions.
Key words: Pendimethalin + imazethapyr, Urdbean, Weed
control efficiency
Grain legumes are inseparable ingredients of
vegetarian diet, and one of the cheapest source for
combating the malnutrition by supplying dietary protein to
the people. India contributes 27.6% to the global grain
legume production and holds 35.2% of the world’s pulse
acreage (Kundu et al., 2009). Surprisingly, about 80% of
the areas under pulses are currently grown in rainfed land
of the country. Urdbean [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper] is one
of the important grain legumes grown throughout the
country during both in summer and rainy season. It is a
self-pollinated leguminous crop fits well in various multiple
and intercropping systems due to its rapid growth, shorter
duration and nitrogen fixing capacity. The crop can be
grown on all types of soils ranging from sandy loam to
heavy clay except the alkaline and saline soil. Urdbean
contributes about 13% of total area in pulses and 10% of
their total production in our country. This crop was
cultivated on an area of about 5.44 Mha (rainy + winter
season) and recorded a production of 3.56 mt at a
productivity level of 655 kg/ha. This was the highest ever
area, production and productivity in this crop (Anonymous
2018). It is extensively grown in the states of Madhya
Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and
Uttar Pradesh. In Manipur, it is grown during kharif season
in an area of 1300 ha with a production of 1072 tonnes with
a productivity of 825 kg/ha which is above the national
average (Shashidhar and Samuel 2017).
Urdbean is susceptible to weed competition (Balyan
et al. 2016) with yield reduction of 42 -51 per cent (Malliswari
et al. 2008; Begum and Rao 2006). Thus weed management
has become very much imperative to sustain productivity
in crops like urdbean (Kumar et. al. 2018). Higher weed
density is seen mainly in the rainy season due to ample
presence of moisture in the soil and limited field work days
(K. Ramamoorthy et al. 2004). The most intensive period
for weed competition is around 3 and 6 weeks after sowing
which needs control measures for achieving yield targets
(Asaduzzaman et al. 2010). Weeds can be controlled by
adopting various methods like eco-physical, biological,
chemical and recently through combining direct and indirect
approach i.e. integrated weed management. Increasing in
labour cost and constraints in availability on time, manual
weed control is less economical practice for most of the
agricultural crops (Kumar et al. 2016) which makes us to
explore the possibility of herbicidal weed control in urdbean.
Chemical measures though become cost-effective; their
efficiencies are greatly reduced during kharif due to
uncertain rainfall. Application of selective herbicides may
control certain species or group of weeds but may not be
effective on other weed species. In such situation, while
one group of weeds is effectively eliminated, other group
takes over and offers severe competition to the crop. High
dose of herbicides may leave residue in the soil to injure
the subsequent crops and also create the pollution problem
(Pahwa and Prakash 1996).
Very few farmers follow chemical weed control in
urdbean. Pendimethalin, a pre-emergence herbicide is used
@ 0.75 to 1.0 kg/ha to control initial flush of weeds in
urdbean. This alone is not sufficient to control the diverse
weed flora in this crop. Singh et al. (2014) discussed the
need of post-emergence herbicide to control the second
flush of weeds in pulses and to reduce human labour. Kumar
 Shashidhar et. al.: Weed management practices in urdbean under North East Indian hills 237

(2010) stressed the importance of identifying the broad

spectrum effective group of pre and post emergence
herbicides to be identified to sustain the productivity of
the urdbean. Thus keeping these points in view, an
experiment was conducted with the objective of evaluating
the relative efficacy of different weed control practices in
urdbean in high rainfall areas like Manipur.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A field investigations were conducted during wet
seasons of 2013, 2014 and 2015 at Central Agricultural
University Farm, Andro, Imphal, East Manipur, India
(latitude of 24o 45’ 89o N, longitude 94o 03’ 46o E with an
altitude of 875 m above MSL) to identify the best
combination of herbicide and management practices to
increase the efficacy of weed control in urdbean crop under
sub-tropical conditions of Manipur. The soils of
experimental site comes under clay loam in texture having
acidic pH of 5.2, bulk density 1.39 g/cc and with a high
organic carbon content (0.98 %). The nitrogen (293.8 kg/
ha) was medium, low in phosphorus (20.4 kg/ha) and medium
in potassium (315.8 kg/ha) at the time of initiation of the
experiment. The climate of the experimental is sub-tropical,
receives annual average rainfall of 1549 mm and means
maximum and minimum temperature is 29.2oC and 21.5oC,
respectively. Rainfall, maximum and minimum temperature
during crop growth stages are depicted in Fig 1 & Table 1.
The experiments was comprising of nine treatments
laid out in RCBD design in three replications with the gross
plot size of 15 m2; and 50 cm buffer area was maintained
between two plots within the replication, while the block
border size was 0.75 meter. Treatments comprised of pre-
emergence application of pendimethalin 30 EC @ 1 kg a.i./
ha (T1), pendimethalin 30 EC + imazethapyr 2 EC @ 1 kg a.i./
ha, (T2), T1+ quizalofop-p-ethyl @ 75 g a.i./ha as post
emergence application (T3), T2+quizalofop-p-ethyl @ 75 g
a.i./ha as post emergence application (T4), T1 + imazethapyr
55 g a.i./ha (T5), T1 + hand weeding at 30 DAS (T6), T2 +
hand weeding at 30 DAS (T7), twice hand weeding at 20
and 40 DAS (T8) with an un-weeded control (T9). The field
was prepared based on the rainfall and availability of
appropriate moisture in the field. The urdbean variety IPU
94-1 (Uttara) having duration of around 70-80 days was
sown as mentioned in the table 2 with 30 cm spacing using
seed rate of 20 kg/ha. Fertilizer dose of 40:20:20 kg N, P2O5,
K2O per ha using urea (43 kg/ha), single super phosphate
(250 kg/ha) and muriate of potash (33 kg/ha) was
Fig. 1. The annual and seasonal rainfall during crop growth
period
incorporated into the soil well before sowing. A knapsack
sprayer fitted with flat-fan nozzle was used to apply the
pre-emergence herbicides on the first day after sowing
(DAS) and post-emergence herbicides 20 DAS with a spray
volume of 600 l/ha as per the treatments. Suitable plant
protection chemicals were sprayed in all the plots to check
the incidence of pests and diseases. In the plots ear marked
for hand weeding, the operation was done at 20 & 40 days
after sowing as per the treatments.
Weed population was recorded by using 0.25 m2 (side
0.5 m) iron square quadrate was used to take observations
on weeds at 20 and 40 DAS in all the treatments by random
sampling in each plot. Weeds were dried under the sun and
then in an oven at 700 C for 72 h, weighed and converted
into g/m2. The data was analysed after subjecting the
original data to transformation using squre root of (X +
0.5). Weed control efficiency (WCE) was calculated as per
formula given below as suggested by Patil and Patil (1983).
DMC - DMT
WCE (%) = X 100 (Eq.1)
DMC
Where, DMC is dry-matter weight of weeds in the
here write control plots and DMT is dry-matter weight of
weeds in treated plots.
The weed index (WI) was calculated as per formula
suggested by Gill and Kumar (1969).
Ywf - Ytr
WI (%) = X 100 (Eq.2)
Ywf
Where, Ywf is yield from weed free plots and Ytr is
the yield from treated plots.

Table 1. Average weather conditions during the cropping season

Year Rainfall (mm) Seasonal rainfall (mm)* No. of rainy days Max. Temp (oC) Min. Temp (oC)
2013 1639 812.5 42 30.7 21.9
2014 1253 409.6 34 31.9 22.3
2015 1675 690.4 35 28.6 22.0
Average of 30 years 1549 640.5 - 29.2 21.5
*Rainfall from 29 th to 40 standard meteorological weeks (cropping season only)
238 Journal of Food Legumes 32(4), 2019

Table 2. Influence of different herbicides and weed management practices on yield of urdbean during 2013-2015
Treatment details Seed Yield (kg/ha) Stover yield (kg/ha)
2013 2014 2015 Pooled 2013 2014 2015 Pooled
T1:Pendimethalin 1.0 kg/ha-PE 511 664 668 614 1182 1587 1778 1516
T2:Pendimethalin 30 EC + imazethapyr 2 EC (Vallor) 1.0 kg/ha – PE 524 689 753 655 1313 1667 1858 1613
T3:T1 + Quizalofop-ethyl 100 g/ha – POE at 20 DAS 522 654 753 643 1258 1613 1805 1559
T4:T2 + Quizalofop-p-ethyl 100 g/ha – POE at 20 DAS 538 692 839 690 1300 1640 1831 1590
T5:T1 + Imazethapyr 55 g/ha – POE at 20 DAS 513 691 827 677 1236 1599 1790 1541
T6:T1 + Manual weeding at 30 DAS 509 695 963 722 1222 1659 1850 1577
T7:T2 + Manual weeding at 30 DAS 576 779 1080 812 1324 1718 1909 1650
T8:Two manual weeding at 20 and 40 DAS 580 791 1090 820 1368 1774 2074 1739
T9:Weedy check 251 355 328 311 1084 1434 1625 1381
SEm (±) 10.5 13.3 26.7 18.2 19.8 22.3 24.7 22.4
C.D.(P=0.05) 31.4 39.8 79.9 51.8 59.4 66.9 74.2 63.7

Table 3. Influence of different herbicides and weed management practices on growth and yield of urdbean during 2013-2015
(Mean of 3 years)
Treatment details Plant height (cm) Branches/ Pods/ Seeds/pod Net Returns B:C ratio
plant plant (INR/ha)
T1:Pendimethalin 1.0 kg/ha-PE 27.4 4.20 17.8 4.10 6890 1.33
T2: Vallor 1.0 kg/ha – PE 30.4 4.72 20.9 4.19 8451 1.40
T3:T1 + quizalofop-p-ethyl 100 g/ha – POE at 20 DAS 29.5 4.44 20.0 3.96 8927 1.45
T4:T2 + quizalofop-ethyl 100 g/ha – POE at 20 DAS 30.9 4.60 21.6 4.19 12489 1.67
T5:T1 + imazethapyr 55 g/ha – POE at 20 DAS 29.4 4.51 20.9 3.82 7538 1.33
T6:T1 + Manual weeding at 30 DAS 29.9 4.40 18.8 4.05 3397 1.12
T7:T2 + Manual weeding at 30 DAS 32.2 5.20 23.2 4.18 8554 1.31
T8:Two manual weeding at 20 and 40 DAS 33.6 5.83 24.7 4.12 6491 1.21
T9:Weedy check 23.2 3.50 11.2 3.63 -5059 0.73
SEm (±) 0.8 0.10 0.7 0.13 - -
C.D.(P=0.05) 2.2 0.31 1.9 0.36 - -

Five random plants were selected from each plot at
30 DAS to record observations on nodulation and plant
growth & yield parameters viz., plant height (cm), no. of
branches per plant at maturity, no. of pods per plant, number
of seeds per pod, test weight (g), seed and stover yield (kg/
ha) were recorded at harvest. Statistical analysis of the
data was done as per the Fisher’s analysis of variance
technique for the experimental designs and treatment means
were compared using least significant difference test at 5%
probability level using t-test and calculating LSD values.
The economics of treatments was computed on the basis
of prevailing market prices of inputs and outputs (‘4500/-
per quintal of urdbean as per minimum support price) under
each treatment. Analysis of variance was performed on all
the collected data. Pooling was made over the years as
similar trend was noticed during both the years (Gomez
and Gomez 1984).
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Weed flora: The common weeds in the experimental site
were Cyperus rotundus (purple nut sedge) Cyperus iria
(yellow nut sedge) among sedges and Echinochloa colona
(jungle rice), Echinochloa crusgalli (sawan grass)
Cynodon dactylon (bermuda grass), Digitaria sanguinalis
(large crab grass), Dactylactenium aegyptium(star grass),
Setaria glauca (foxtail grass), Elusina Indica (goose grass)
among grasses and Commelina bengalensis (Bengal
dayflower), Ageratum conyzoides (billygoat weed),
Euphorbia hirta (garden spurge), Amaranthus spinosus,
Phyllanthus niruri and Trianthema monogynya (horse
purselane), Ipomoea pestigridis etc. were the commonly
seen broad-leaved weeds in the experimental site. Similar
weed species in urdbean crop was also reported by
Chaudhary et al. (1989), Bhowmick and Gupta (2005), Jakhar
(2012) and Balyan et al. (2016). The weed intensity was in
the order of sedges>grasses> broad leaved weeds (Kumar
et al., 2014) during all the years of cropping seasons in the
experimental site.
Weed studies: The most important critical period of weed
infestation in urdbean is 4-7 weeks. Weed infestation during
this period reduces productivity of the crop. It is apparent
from the results that all the treatments adopted for weed
control in urdbean significantly reduced the density and
dry weight of weeds at all the growth stages of crop in
comparison to unweeded control that was observed to be
the most severely infested by weeds. The highest weed
density of 122.6 per m2 was noted in weedy check plot at 30
DAS that increased to 172.8 at 45 DAS. Significantly lower
weed intensity and weed dry weight which reflected the
best control of weeds was recorded with pre-emergence
application of pendimethalin + imazethapyr plus hand
weeding at 20 DAS (43.3 g/m2 and 32.0 g/m2). This could be
ascribed to the competition of weeds for moisture, nutrients,
space and shadiness and short life cycle of weeds resulting
in extermination of the some species. Among the herbicide
applications, the pre-emergence application of
 Shashidhar et. al.: Weed management practices in urdbean under North East Indian hills 239

pendimethalin + imazethapyr @ 1 kg a.i./ha (48.4 and 37.2 effective with HW twice and pre-emergence application of
g/m2) was effective in reducing the weed population at 30 pendimethalin + imazethapyr @ 1 kg/ha. The superiority of
DAS which was on par with pre-emergence application of these treatments could mainly be ascribed to the fact that
pendimethalin + imazathapyr 1 kg a.i./ha + hand weeding at application of herbicide alone inhibited the germination and
30 DAS (43.3 and 32 g/m2) at 30 DAS. The pre-emergence emergence of weeds during initial growth stage of crop
application of pendimethalin + imazethapyr @ 1 kg a.i./ha only but at later stages, these herbicides dissipated and
(66.0 and 48.2 g/m2), the combination of the pre-emergence deactivated in the soil and next flush of weeds appeared in
application of pendimethalin + imazethapyr @ 1 kg a.i./ha + such plots. The hand weeding done at 30 DAS effectively
post emergence application of quizalofop-p-ethyl @ 100 g controlled the subsequent flush of weeds and thus kept
a.i./ha at 20 DAS (66.5 and 44.5 g g/m2) and pre-emergence the field weed free for a longer duration. Accelerated growth
application of pendimethalin 30 EC + imazethapyr @ 1.0 of crop due to looseness of soil and aeration in root zone
kg/ha + imazethapyr @ 55 g a.i./ha as POE at 20 DAS (67.4% incurred due to hand weeding could be assigned as another
55.6 g/m2) did not differ significantly with respect to weed reason of lower density and dry matter of weeds obtained
density but differed significantly with respect to weed dry under these treatments.
weight at 45 DAS. The combination of pre-emergence By removing two initial flushes of weeds, two HW at
pendimenthalin + hand weeding at 30 DAS (70.3 and 60 g/ 20 and 40 DAS reduced the weed growth effectively during
m2) and pre-emergence application of pendimethalin 30 EC most of the growth phases of crop. On the other hand,
+ imazethapyr @ 1.0 kg/ha + hand weeding at 30 DAS (57.3 inhibition of germination and growth of weeds following
and 44 g/m2) differed significantly even at 45 DAS. This application of different herbicides might have reduced the
indicates the effectiveness of the herbicide pendimethalin weed growth through arresting different metabolic activities
+ imazethapyr was very effective in controlling weeds. and thus causing mortality of weeds and HW done at 30
Similar trend was recorded with weed control efficiency at DAS controlled the second flush of weeds efficiently. These
30 and 45 DAS. The increase in density and dry weight of seem to be the most spectacular reason of accumulating
weeds in different treatments was attributed to lesser dry weight of weeds and consequently higher weed
uninterrupted growth of weeds with greater competitive control efficiencies. The variation in crop- weed competition
ability than crop. under different treatments is associated with variation in
Efficacy of herbicidal treatments were subsequently weed dry production and the corresponding nutrient
followed by HW at 30 DAS was better in weed control than depletion by weeds that were eventually reflected in weed
sole application of these herbicides (Table 5). Pre- completion indices. Results indicated that the pre-
emergence application of pendimethalin + imazethapyr @ 1 emergence application of pendimethalin 30 EC + imazethapyr
kg a.i./ha + HW at 30 DAS was found the effective than 2 EC @ 1.0 kg/ha + HW at 30 DAS treatment recorded the
application of pendimethalin + HW at 30 DAS. It was equally lowest weed competition index of 0.92 per cent, only as
Table 4. Influence of different herbicides and weed management practices on weed intensity, weed dryweight, weed control
efficiency and weed Index of urdbean during 2013-2015 (Mean of 3 years)
Treatment details Weed Weed Intensity Weed Dry Weed Dry Weed control Weed control Weed
Intensity at at 60 DAS weight at weight at Efficiency (%) Efficiency (%) Index
30 DAS (no./ sq.m) 30 DAS 60 DAS at 30 DAS at 60 DAS (%)
(no./ sq.m) (g/ sq.m) (g/ sq.m)
T1:Pendimethalin 1.0 kg/ha-PE 8.6 9.35 7.71 8.10 44.59 57.81 22.12
(74.1) (87.5) (50.9) (65.2)
7.0 8.12 6.13 6.97 65.44 69.23 17.49
T2: Vallor 1.0 kg/ha – PE
(48.4) (66.0) (37.2) (48.2)
T3:T1 + quizalofop-ethyl 100 g/ha – 8.0 7.98 6.99 7.48 54.98 64.16 19.35
POE at 20 DAS (63.4) (63.9) (48.6) (55.6)
T4:T2 + quizalofop-ethyl 100 g/ha – 7.2 8.09 6.32 6.69 63.26 71.56 14.30
POE at 20 DAS (52.7) (66.5) (39.6) (44.5)
T5:T1 + imazethapyr 55 g/ha – POE at 8.6 8.22 7.73 7.48 44.86 63.89 18.16
20 DAS (74.3) (67.4) (60.2) (55.6)
8.3 8.40 7.56 7.93 46.69 60.03 13.00
T6:T1 + Manual weeding at 30 DAS
(68.5) (70.3) (57.4) (63.0)
6.6 7.59 5.69 6.61 70.19 72.00 0.91
T7:T2 + Manual weeding at 30 DAS
(43.3) (57.3) (32.0) (44.0)
T8:Two manual weeding at 20 & 40 4.7 5.30 4.44 4.67 81.90 86.03 0.00
DAS (21.9) (28.3) (19.5) (21.5)
T9:Weedy check 11.1 (122.6) 13.13 (172.8) 10.44 (108.8) 12.54 (157.0) 0.00 0.00 55.28
SEm (±) 0.15 0.17 0.16 0.16 2.26 1.60 1.98
C.D. (P=0.05) 0.41 0.50 0.45 0.45 6.42 4.54 5.64
*data in parenthesis are original values
240 Journal of Food Legumes 32(4), 2019
against in the maximum of 55.28 per cent observed under
weedy check. Samant and Mishra (2014) in groundnut
reported the post emergence application of quizalofop-p-
ethyl at 20 DAS followed HW reported effective control of
grassy weeds in groundnut. Vyas and Jain (2003) reported
higher weed control efficiency, seed yield with application
of imezathapyr over quizalofop-p-ethyl in soybean crop.
Similarly, pendimethalin 30 EC + imazethapyr 2 EC @ 1.0
kg/ha as pre-emergence application and pendimethalin 30
EC + imazethapyr 2 EC @ 1.0 kg/ha + quizalofop-p-ethyl at
20 DAS were found to be the next best treatments that
represented the significantly lower weed intensity and weed
dry weight by increasing the weed control efficiency. The
treatments with hand weeding components registered higher
weed competition indices which incurred higher cost for
hand weeding leading the treatments to be less
remunerative. The increased dry matter accumulation of
weeds corresponding to reduction in grain yield seemed to
be responsible for variation in weed competition indices
among different treatments. Singh (2011), Jhakar et al. (2015)
and Balyan et al. (2016) identified the similar findings in
urdbean.
Growth and yield of urdbean: On the basis of mean data
of three (3) years, two HW 20 and 40 DAS recorded the
highest (820 kg/ha) grain yield, which was followed by pre-
emergence application of pendimethalin + imazethapyr 2
EC @ 1.0 kg/ha 1.0 kg/ha + HW 30 DAS (812 kg/ha). This
provided effective control of weeds and high grain yield of
urdbean (Rathi et al., 2004). The two HW done on 20 and
40 DAS provided as high grain yield as the weedfree
treatment (Chand et al., 2004, Singh, 2011). Several reports
on application of Pendimethalin 1.0- 2.0 kg, pendimethalin
1 kg/ha + HW 25 DAS and fluchloralin 0.5-1.5 kg/ha have
been reported to provide better grain yield of summer
urdbean (Bhandari et al., 2004). Similar outcomes have also
been reported by Vaishya et al. (2003), Gupta (2014) and
Jhakar et al. (2015). The yield attributing characters like no.
of pods per plant, no. of seeds per pod recorded similar
trend as that of seed and stover yield which helped in
increasing the yield of these treatments.
As compared to two HW 20 and 40 DAS, the
uncontrolled weeds caused, on an average, 38 % reduction
in grain yield. Similar grain yield losses due to weeds have
been reported by other researchers in urdbean (Balyan
et al., 2016; Singh, 2011, Asaduzzaman et al., 2010,
Mallishwari et al., 2008; Bhandari et al., 2004, Chand et al.,
2003 and Chand et al., 2004). Net returns and B:C ratio was
the highest with the application of Pendimethalin 30 EC +
Imazethapyr 2 EC (Vallor) @ 1.0 kg/ha as PE + PoE of
quizalofop-p-ethyl @ 100 g/ha – POE at 20 DAS (‘12,489/
ha and 1.67 respectively) followed by pendimethalin @ 1.0
kg/ha-PE + quizalofop-ethyl @ 100 g/ha – POE at 20 DAS
and pendimethalin 30 EC + imazethapyr 2 EC (Vallor) @ 1.0
kg/ha as PE + HW at 20 DAS. Weedy check though involved
the lowest cost of cultivation yet it provided the lowest net
returns (Singh, 2011).
It is reflected from results that different weed control
treatments evaluated for their efficacy in present
investigations differed significantly in their effect on plant
height, branches per plant in urdbean (Table 4). The
variation in treatments and their effect on growth attributes
has been found to be directly associated with almost similar
variation in weed control. All the treatments significantly
enhanced the growth parameters of crop at most of the
stages over weedy check plots. The maximum plant height
and no. of branches per plant were recorded with the
treatment with hand weeding at 20 & 40 DAS at harvest
(33.6 cm & 5.83cm). This treatment was on par with pre-
emergence application of pendimethalin 30 EC +
imazethapyr 2 EC (Vallor) @ 1.0 kg/ha + HW at 30 DAS
(32.3 cm & 5.2) at harvest stages. However, the plant height
did not differ significantly among rest of the treatments
except weedy check. Further the number of branches did
not differed significantly among rest of the treatments except
the pre-emergence application of pendimethalin @ 1.0 kg/
ha and weedy check (4.2 & 3.5).
Thus, pre emergence application of pendimethalin
30 EC + imazethapyr 2 EC 1.0 kg/ha – PE along with HW at
30 DAS may be recommended for higher grain yield (812
kg/ha), net returns (INR 36815/ha) and B:C ratio (1.30).
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Journal of Food Legumes 32(4): 242-249, 2019
Scaling productivity and farm income through soybean based inter- and sequential
cropping under rainfed Central India with improved agro-technologies
CS PRAHARAJ, RAM LAL JAT, UMMED SINGH, SS SINGH, RP SINGH, R ELANCHEZHIAN and
NP SINGH
ICAR-Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Regional Station, Bhopal, India; E-mail:cspraharaj@hotmail.com
(Received : May 13, 2019; Accepted : September 22, 2019)
ABSTRACT
Soybean {Glycine max (L.) Merr.} has dominated in Central
India especially Madhya Pradesh because of more or less
favourable growing conditions compatible with climate and
soil condition. However, the crop is not becoming favourite
to farmers because of several reasons including non-
availability of quality seed of improved varieties, low
productivity of crop, abiotic stresses (such as waterlogging,
nutrient unavailability etc), biotic stresses (like, pests and
diseases, and weeds etc) and availability of other alternate/
remunerative crop(s). Therefore, scaling crop/cropping
system productivity based on soybean besides addressing
soil erosion issues and improving rainfall-use efficiency,
there is an urgent need for practicing improved agronomy
with better land configuration and appropriate crop
combination including intercropping and other appropriate
agro-technologies. Short duration pigeonpea, urdbean and
some compatible cereals are found to be most promising and
remunerative if selection of suitable varieties are made and
necessary crop environment is altered through modification
in crop management practices within existing sowing/crop
windows. Thus, extensive studies were made during 2014-16
at ICAR-Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Regional
Station, Bhopal on a clay loam soils to screen the crops/
varieties for their performance and adoption in soybean -
lentil cropping system along with other improved agro-
technologies. Following appropriate land configuration
(broad bed and furrow, BBF) in the heavy soils of Central
India, soybean productivity could be enhanced considerably
(with BBF vis-à-vis flat planting). It was observed that
significant enhancement in crop productivity to the tune of
19.3, 16.4, 20.8 and 19.0 per cent in soybean, lentil, and total
productivity during rainy season and whole of the year,
respectively were recorded in BBF compared to flat planting
during initial year of experimentation. During second year
of experimentation, BBF again had distinct advantages for
both crops. Again, significant enhancement in crop
productivity to the tune of 19.2, 16.6, 18.5 and 16.7 per cent
in soybean, lentil, and total productivity during rainy season
and across the year, respectively were recorded under BBF
over flat planting. Similarly, on intercropping with pulses/
cereal/oilseed, the study revealed that significantly higher
crop/cropping system productivities and returns were
observed with soybean + pigeonpea - lentil followed by
soybean + urdbean - lentil in Central India. Following use
of suitable varieties and best management practices
(involving soybean + pigeonpea - lentil), higher system
productivity, net return and BCR could be realized to the
extent of 4691 kg/ha (in terms of soybean equivalent yield),
INR 97,238/ha and 4.26, respectively. Because of more often
scanty rainfall and its uneven distribution especially during
reproductive stage of (winter season pulses, like) lentil,
supplementary irrigation once at pod development could be
useful in enhancing its productivity.
Key words: Economics, Intercropping, Land configuration,
Productivity, Rainfed, Sequential cropping,
Soybean, Supplementary irrigation
Soybean is the most important rainy season crop of
Central India (Singh et al. 2014, 2016). Most of the Indian
farmers begin cultivating soybean, a rain-fed crop, during
June following arrival of the monsoon rains. The crop is
preferred mainly in the states of Madhya Pradesh in central
India, Maharashtra in the west, Rajasthan in the north-
west, and Karnataka in the south. The crop has dominated
in Central India especially in Madhya Pradesh because of
more or less favourable growing conditions compatible with
climate and soil condition prevailing there (Jat and Praharaj
2018). Soybean is grown in India in an area of 10.329 million
hectares (m ha) with production and productivity of 10.933
million tonnes (m t) and 1058 kg/ha, respectively during
2017-18. The corresponding figures for Madhya Pradesh,
the largest state with the highest acreage and production,
are 5.01 m ha and 5.32 m t (with a productivity of 1062 kg/
ha), respectively during the same period. Despite its
declining trend in terms of acreage especially in recent years
(11.716 m ha during 2013-14 to 10.329 m ha during 2017-18
with marginal increase in productivity levels during the
period viz., 1012 to 1058 kg/ha), many farmers still prefer to
grow the crop because of its popularity and marketability/
remunerability. Besides certain biotic stresses (for example,
the yellow vein mosaics and sucking pests menace),
soybean crop also suffers more from abiotic stresses as a
result of ponding of water under heavy soil condition
following excess of precipitation or other soil/tophography
related factors (Praharaj et al. 2017a, b, 2018). Therefore,
mitigating the loss in productivity by refining the existing
management practices to deal with the biotic and abiotic
stresses and to take up the enabled technologies so
developed effectively to farmers' fields constitute a priority
to boost up the production of soybean or its cropping
systems (Praharaj et al.2015a,b).
In this context, there is an urgent need to manage the
crop with appropriate crop/land management practices for
these regions, particularly rainfall, to control soil erosion
 Praharaj et. al.: Scaling productivity and farm income with soybean based cropping system under Central India 243

and to improve rainfall-use efficiency by switching to
improved land management techniques (better land
configuration and appropriate season long crop or soil
cover). The rainwater stored by improved agronomic
approaches can suitably be recycled across the soil profile
for subsequent crop growth and development. This could
further alleviate soil moisture stress during following winter
season, and thus, could further enhance the scope for
growing of another short duration low water requiring crop,
like pulses (lentils and lathyrus etc) during winter season.
As a matter of fact, low water requiring pulses, like lentil
can be very well integrated with (after) soybean under
rainfed agro-ecologies. And thus, the role of an efficient
intercropping system compatible with soybean can’t be
overlooked (Gangwar and Prasad 2005) even under rainfed
condition (Singh et al. 2014; Praharaj et al. 2016). As a
consequence, this could further reduce the stress on soil,
crop and environment further (as in case of soybean-wheat
system grown under frequent irrigated condition). Besides
this, optimum crop management during winter season (to
lentil) could hasten crop/cropping system productivity
further. Therefore, the current investigation was undertaken
to ascertain the effect of different agro-technologies (land
configuration, intercropping, and supplementary irrigation)
on soybean-lentil cropping system covering dual seasons
(both rainy and winter seasons) under rainfed agro-ecology
of Central India.
comprising of two land configurations in main plot (flat
versus BBF during rainy season which was maintained
during winter season also) and five important and popular
intercropping systems at 2:2 row ratios (viz., soybean ‘RSV
2001-4’ in 1st year,‘JS 20-29’ in 2nd year intercropped in five
compatible short duration crops, like pigeonpea ‘ICP 88039’
in 1st year and ‘TJT 501’ in 2nd year, maize ‘RASI 4242’,
sorghum ‘CSV 23’ in 1st year and ‘MGSH 55’ in 2nd year,
urdbean‘IPU 2-43’ and sesame ‘Kranti’ in 1st year and
‘Western’ in 2nd year) with replacement series in sub plot
were laid out in a split plot design with three replications.
These intercrops, in fact were grown in 2:2 row ratios of
each intercrop in replacement series both under flat and
broad bed furrow land configurations (BBF with 120 cm
between two furrows covering 4 rows of crops at a distance
of 35 cm row to row on beds or 30 cm row to row spacing
between 2 rows of crops under flat). These crops were
followed by lentil ‘IPL 316’ during both years without or
with single supplementary irrigation applied during winter
season under deficit soil moisture condition. The crops
have been supplied with the recommended dose of
fertilizers. The sources of fertilizers have been Urea, DAP
and MOP for N,P and K, respectively. Besides these, normal
dose of Zn and S were also applied at sowing. Fertilizers
and other agro-chemicals including pesticides (except
irrigation as per the treatment) have been applied to
intercrops as per the treatments. The standard package of

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An experiment was conducted at ICAR-Indian
Institute of Pulses Research, Regional Station, Bhopal,
Madhya Pradesh, India during 2014-16 to diversify soybean
based (inter-)cropping systems in rainfed Central India for
its bio-intensification with pulses. Thus, the objective of
this experiment was to enhance per hectare productivity,
input use efficiency & farm income without exclusion of
the risky and non-remunerative but the popular and farmers’
choice soybean crop. Thus, to address the issues of scaling
crop performance against abiotic stress in presence of
ponding of water during monsoon season and heavy clayey
soil condition, an investigation was carried out on soybean-
lentil system to fulfil the twin objectives of (1) Enhancing
crop productivity and sustainability in soybean based
intercropping system (rainy season); and (2) Enhancing
system productivity of soybean-lentil under rainfed agro-
ecology of central India. In the former, the aim was to
assess and refine the most remunerative inter-cropping
system under the rainfed agro-ecosystem through following
tactical strategies; while in the latter it aimed at establishing
soybean-pulse system with the use of conservation
agriculture.
The experiment involved treatments or factors such
11 Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr, 15
as land configuration, intercropping, and supplementary
irrigation (to winter crop) in soybean-lentil system during
2014-16. In the experiment, ten treatment combinations Fig. 1 Typical meteorological situation during 2014-15
244 Journal of Food Legumes 32(4), 2019
practices has been followed for raising a good crop(s) under
rainfed condition (or otherwise stated with a single irrigation
at pod development of lentil during rabi season only, if
required).
The soil of experimental site was clay loam (vertisols)
in texture (with FC at 30% w/w and PWP at 14% w/w) and
7.87 pH with low in N (198 kg/ha) and SOC (0.42%), medium
in P (15.5 kg/ha) and high in K (368 kg/ha) at the surface
depth (0-15 cm). The soil is having EC of 0.33 dS/m and the
soil depth is around 1.5 metres. The experimental site was
double cropped rainfed upland with soybean-wheat
cropping system. Grain yield, yield attributes and other
biometrics observations were recorded as per requirements
for validation of findings. Other soil and plant analysis
were made following standard procedures. Under Bhopal
condition, normal temperature and rainfall regimes during
2014-15 were also observed during both kharif/rainy season
and rabi/winter season (Fig 1). A similar weather condition
was there during kharif with exception that more dry
condition prevailed during winter season of 2015-16.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Enhancing system productivity in soybean + urdbean -
lentil: Under the agro-ecolgical situation, broad bed furrow
(BBF) has distinct advantages as it works as conservation
furrows which later turns into miniature furrows (due to
continuous rainfall) at the end of rainy season (beginning
of winter). Besides acting as a drainage point during rainy
season against extreme rainfall events (otherwise more often
as water conservation furrows), the miniature furrows also
conserve water again in case rainfall occurs during later in
the season (during winter). The water thus, conserved in
conservation furrows is utilized by the growing crop in
fulfilling its partial water requirements during rainless period
of winter season. During 2014-15, it happened exactly the
same as in above in the exiting situation.
The study revealed that BBF had the distinct
advantages on crop productivity during both the seasons/
crops (Table 1, Fig 2). Significant enhancement in crops
productivity to the tune of 19.3, 16.4, 20.8 and 19.0 per cent
in soybean, lentil, and total productivity during both rainy
and across the seasons (whole of the year), respectively
were recorded under BBF compared to flat planting on the
land. Although performance in BBF was statistically
Fig 2. Comparative crop performance in an intercroppping (2:2) situation with soybean+urdbean/maize/sesame (from left)
during rainy season; and later lentil during winter season
superior in case of maize and sesame yet, similar
productivity increases were also evident in case of all the
intercrops. In addition, all the intercrops had similar effect
on soybean productivity but, considering on total
productivity (soybean + intercrops) during rainy season,
soybean + sesame (2:2) had the lowest productivity. It was
significantly lesser (Fig 3) in comparison to soybean +
pigeonpea only (with yields of all other intercroppings were
in between).
However, when comparison was made on total system
productivity for both seasons (i.e., soybean-lentil system
as a whole), significantly higher total productivities were
recorded with soybean + urdbean/maize – lentil (Fig 3).
However, due to relatively longer duration of pigeonpea
‘ICP 88039’, it took much time for maturity and harvesting
was late (mid-December) in the season. As a result, sowing
of lentil was delayed which resulted in slow germination
(peak of winter) and emergence. In addition, it also affected
adversely both its productivity and that of cropping system
as well (Table 1). Consequently, supplementary irrigation
once at pod development of the delayed planted lentil ‘IPL
316’during winter season also could not enhance its
productivity (Praharaj et al. 2017a, b, 2018) over the control
(Table 2).
Further study on efficiency factor on a system mode
(soybean + intercrop - lentil) and its economics revealed
that similar to seed yield, different biometrics parameters
and economics were also influenced (Table 3). Observation
on net return and BCR showed that supplementary irrigation
could not influence seasonal or system productivity.
However, BBF did well in all the above cases. Similar to
seed yield, urbean based intercropping system performed
the best (as per higher NR of INR 58800 and BCR of 3.09)
during Kharif and rabi seasons involving soybean +
urdbean - lentil rotation (Fig 2, Table 3). Thus, initial (first
year) study suggested that urdbean+soybean (2:2)-lentil
followed by maize or sesame performed the best keeping in
view of growth attributes, productivity and profitability
(favourable economics).
Enhancing system productivity in soybean + pigeonpea-
lentil: Soybean along with intercrops were grown again in
2:2 replacement series following the same lay out plan/
design of the experiment under the same flat bed and broad
 Praharaj et. al.: Scaling productivity and farm income with soybean based cropping system under Central India 245

Table 1. Effect of land configuration and soybean based intercropping on grain yields (kg/ha)
Treatments Soybean Intercrop during Kharif Crop in Rabi
Seed grain Stalk Pigeonpea Sorghum Urdbean Maize Sesame SEY Lentil SEY
(t/ha) (Inter crops) (for lentil)
Land configuration
Flat 813 1.6 483 963 515 1485 295 719 886 1046
BBF 970 1.9 614 1096 612 1759 340 880 1031 1217
SEm(±) 17.5 - 60.5 184 29.5 66.7 5.8 36.2 22.4 26.4
CD(0.05) 63.6 - NS NS NS 243 20.9 132 81.6 96.2
Soybean based intercropping (2:2)
Pigeonpea 951 1.9 549 - - - - 944 363 429
Sorghum 941 1.9 - 1029 - - - 674 859 1014
Urdbean 728 1.5 - - 563 - - 969 1136 1341
Maize 898 1.8 - - - 1622 - 844 1219 1438
Sesame 938 1.9 - - - - 318 569 1216 1435
SEm(±) 83.1 - - - - - - 71.2 38.5 45.5
CD (P=0.05) NS - - - - - - 204 110.2 130
Kharif = Rainy season; Rabi=winter season

a) Total yield (SEY, kg/ha) b) Total yield (SEY, kg/ha) c) Total yield (SEY, kg/ha)

Fig 3. Effect of supplementary irrigation(a), land configuration (b) and intercropping (c) on total yield (Based on soybean equivalent yield,
SEY of all the crops; Soy: Soybean)

Table 2. Effect of land configuration and supplementary bed furrow (BBF) land configurations during 2015-16 (2nd
irrigation on lentil grain yield (kg/ha) year). Short duration pigeonpea variety ‘TJT 501’ was
Supplementary irrigation Land configuration introduced in the experimentation to plant lentil crop timely
Flat BBF Mean in the rotation. All these crops were again followed by lentil
Rainfed 867 986 926 ‘IPL 316’ during Rabi with or without supplementary
Supplementary Irrigation 905 1077 991
Mean 886 1032 959 irrigation as per treatment. The weather pattern is given
SEm(±) flat/BBF 23.3 herein as under which showed water stress beyond October
Rainfed/Sup. Irrgn 61.3 2015 (scanty rainfall condition). The cumulative SW
Interaction 32.9
CD (0.05) flat/BBF 90.8 monsoon rainfall (June to September, 2015) for India 760.6
Rainfed/Sup. Irrgn NS mm which was only about 86% of the normal or long period
Interaction NS

Table 3. Effect of irrigation, land configuration and intercropping on yield attributes and economics
Treatments Lentil yield attributes Net return (‘000 INR/ha) BCR
Seed wt. Seed No. 100 seed Kharif* Rabi Cropping Kharif* Rabi Cropping
(g/pl) (No./pl) wt (g) (Inter- (Lentil) system (Inter- (Lentil) system
cropping) cropping)
Supplementary Irrigation
Rainfed 3.36 113 2.97 - 21.5 43.3 - 3.30 2.10
Suppl. Irrigation 3.42 126 2.96 - 22.9 58.9 - 3.28 2.78
CD(0.05) NS NS NS - NS NS - NS NS
Land configuration
Flat 3.29 116 2.90 25.1 20.0 45.1 1.80 2.97 2.19
BBF 3.50 123 3.03 32.7 24.4 57.1 2.25 3.61 2.70
CD(0.05) NS NS NS 4.7 2.7 7.3 0.31 0.41 0.34
Soybean based intercropping (2:2)
Pigeonpea 2.17 87 2.70 32.4 4.2 36.6 2.01 0.63 1.59
Sorghum 2.66 99 2.96 25.8 19.2 45.0 1.64 2.84 2.00
Urdbean 3.98 136 3.02 31.2 27.6 58.8 2.55 4.09 3.09
Maize 4.03 138 3.07 29.0 30.1 59.0 1.85 4.45 2.63
Sesame 4.12 137 3.07 26.0 30.0 56.0 2.06 4.45 2.89
CD(P=0.05) 1.03 36.7 NS NS 3.5 7.9 0.57 0.52 0.38
Interaction is NS; * both soybean + intercrop together
246 Journal of Food Legumes 32(4), 2019

Table 4. Effect of land configuration and soybean based intercropping on grain yield (kg/ha)
Soybean (Kharif) Intercrop grain yield during Kharif Lentil grain yield (Rabi)
Treatments Grain Stalk Pigeonpea Sorghum Urdbean Maize Sesame SEY Lentil SEY
(t/ha) (For inter crops) (for lentil)
Land configuration
Flat 421 904 1967 833 333 917 377 1110 693 832
BBF 502 1072 2219 1057 472 1209 410 1312 808 971
CD (P=0.05) 68 142 231 NS 46.9 278 29.8 96.4 63.5 76.3
Soybean based intercropping (2:2)
Pigeonpea 432 926 2093 - - - - 3556 584 702
Sorghum 465 1000 - 945 - - - 565 604 726
Urdbean 481 1027 - - 403 - - 684 1049 1260
Maize 483 1032 - - - 1063 - 544 765 918
Sesame 445 957 - - - - 393 707 750 901
CD(P=0.05) NS NS - - - - - 274 82.5 99.1
Interaction NS NS - - - - - 388 117 140
*Soybean area is 50% of total area; SEY: Soybean Equivalent Yield (kg/ha)

Fig 4. Performance of soybean + pigeonpea, pigeonpea alone (from left) & lentil after soybean

average (LPA) of 887.5 mm, a shortfall of 14%, the worst
since 2009. Zone wise analysis revealed that NW India had
a deficiency of 17% (maximum) and East and NE India had
minimum of 8% deficit. However, in the current experiments
conducted at the central India, it had 16% deficit (815.5 mm
received against 975.5 mm normal rainfall) which affected
the crop growth and development.
With this normal climatic background soybean was
found to be highly compatible with short duration
pigeonpea. The slow growth of pigeonpea during initial
period facilitated soybean growth as a parallel cropping.
After maturity of soybean (around 3 months from sowing),
pigeonpea occupied the total space and in fact, performed
as the best pure or monocrop, and gave higher soybean
(Table 4) equivalent yield (SEY, 3556 kg/ha) in comparison
to other intercropping situation (SEY, 544 - 707 kg/ha).
The study also revealed that BBF again had distinct
advantages for both Kharif and Rabi crops. Significant
enhancement in crop productivity to the tune of 19.2, 16.6,
18.5 and 16.7 per cent in soybean, lentil, and total
productivity during Kharif and whole of the year,
respectively were recorded under BBF over flat planting
(Table 4, 5). Although performance under BBF was
statistically superior for all the crops except sorghum yet,
similar trend in productivity increases were evident in the
case of sorghum also. In addition, all the intercrops had
similar effect on soybean productivity but considering on
total Kharif productivity of both soybean and intercrops,
soybean + maize (2:2) had lowest productivity (544 and
1026 kg/ha; Table 4,6). Again, it was significantly lesser in
comparison to soybean + pigeonpea only (with all other
intercropping yields were at par with the former). However,
when comparison was made on total system productivity
for both Kharif + Rabi (soybean + intercrop-lentil system
as a whole), significantly higher total productivity was
recorded with soybean+pigeonpea–lentil fb soybean +
urdbean-lentil (Table 6). Nevertheless, as pigeonpea (and
sorghum) was harvested late in the season (end of
November for Sorghum and early December for pigeonpea),
it delayed the sowing of lentil which affected both Rabi
crop (lentil) and total productivity adversely (Table 4, Fig
4). Yet, because of higher pigeonpea yield, it compensated
the loss in yield of lentil fully. Moreover, supplementary
irrigation once to lentil could also enhance its productivity
over the rainfed crop (Table 5, 6). As a result, significantly
higher (soybean equivalent) yield of lentil was obtained
following irrigation due to scanty rainfall received during
the Rabi season although total productivity of soybean-
lentil system was not influenced by irrigation (Table 5).
Thus, it was apparent that in totality, significantly
higher total soybean equivalent yield was recorded with
soybean + pigeonpea - lentil (SEY, 4691) followed by
soybean + urdbean - lentil (SEY, 2425 kg/ha) under heavy
soil condition of India’s Central Zone (Table 6). As a result,
net return per hectare went up to INR 97,238 and BCR (net
return over cultivation cost) to 4.26 (the highest, and
 Praharaj et. al.: Scaling productivity and farm income with soybean based cropping system under Central India 247

Table 5. Effect of land configuration and suppl. irrigation on grain yield of lentil, SEY & total yield (based on SEY, kg/ha)
Supplementary irrigation Lentil yield Rabi yield (SEY) Total yield (Kharif+Rabi)
Flat BBF Flat BBF Flat BBF
Rainfed 605 715 726 859 2317 2798
Suppl. irrigation 780 902 937 1084 2409 2771
CD (P=0.05)
Rainfed/Sup. Irrign 29.0 34.9 NS
Flat/Raised bed 75.7 91.0 108.4
Interaction NS NS NS

Table 6. Effect of land configuration and soybean based intercropping on lentil grain yield and total productivity (kg/ha)
Lentil Total yield (SEY)
Treatments Grain SEY Stalk Kharif Rabi Kharif + Rabi
(for lentil) (kg/ha) (Soybean+ intercrop) (Lentil) (SEY)
Supplementary irrigation
Rainfed 660 793 867 1765 793 2558
Supplementary irrigation 841 1010 1306 1580 1010 2590
CD (P=0.05) 29.0 34.9 35.2 NS 34.9 NS
Land configuration
Flat 693 832 959 1531 832 2363
BBF 808 971 1214 1814 971 2785
CD (P=0.05) 75.7 91.0 105.2 124 91.0 108.4
Soybean based intercropping (2:2)
Pigeonpea 584 702 849 3989 702 4691
Sorghum 604 726 878 1030 726 1756
Urdbean 1049 1260 1508 1165 1260 2425
Maize 765 918 1118 1026 918 1945
Sesame 750 901 1079 1152 901 2053
CD (P=0.05) 74.1 89.0 103.7 170 89.0 192
CD (0.05) for interaction 105 126 147 240 126 272
(Irrig.x Intercrop)

Table 7. Comparison of land configuration & intercropping in soybean + intercrop-lentil cropping system as a whole
Land configuration/ Soybean yield* Intercrop yield Lentil yield Total system Net Return
Cropping system (kg/ha) (SEY, kg/ha) (kg/ha) productivity (INR/ha/yr)
(SEY, kg/ha-yr)
Land configurations
Flat 421 1110 693 2363 39567
BBF 502 1312 808 2785 49857
CD (0.05) 68 96.4 63.5 108 2776
Intercropping system (2:2)
Soybean+pigeonpea-lentil 432 3556 584 4691 97238
Soybean+Sorghum-Lentil 465 565 604 1756 22599
Soybean+Urdbean-Lentil 481 684 1049 2425 43128
Soybean+Maize-Lentil 483 544 765 1945 27390
Soybean+Sesame-Lentil 445 707 750 2053 33207
CD (0.05) NS 274 82.5 192 4921
CD (0.05) Interaction NS 388 117 272 6960
*Soybean area is 50% of total area; SEY: Soybean Equivalent Yield (kg/ha)

doubled over other systems), thereby making the system

the most productive (promising) and remunerative (Ramesh
et al. 2010; Table 7, 9, Fig 5). In addition, significantly higher
productivity was also realized under BBF over flat planting
at the site (Table 7).
As discussed in above, supplementary irrigation
once to lentil could enhance its productivity over the rainfed
crop. As a result, significantly higher (27.4%) lentil yield
(and its soybean equivalent yield) was obtained following
Fig. 5. Economics (net return and BCR) of intercropping systems
irrigation due to scanty rainfall received after monsoon
involving soybean in Central India (INR/ha-yr)
season (Table 5) although total productivity of soybean-
248 Journal of Food Legumes 32(4), 2019

Table 8. Harvest & other harvest attributes of both soybean and lentil
Treatments Soybean (Kharif) Lentil (Rabi)
Plant height Branches/ Pods/ Seeds/ Plant height Branches/ Pods/ Seed wt/ 100 seed Stalk yield
(cm) plant plant pod (cm) plant plant Plant (g) wt(g) (kg/ha)
Supplementary irrigation
Rainfed - - - - 30.5 3.09 32.7 3.28 2.50 867
Suppl. Irrigation - - - - 38.8 3.46 44.5 2.88 2.69 1306
CD (0.05) - - - - 4.2 0.20 8.2 0.45 NS 35.2
Land configuration
Flat 22.7 2.87 24.2 2.51 33.8 3.16 35.9 3.41 2.58 959
BBF 25.6 3.76 29.0 2.80 35.5 3.39 41.3 3.75 2.61 1214
CD (0.05) 2.99 0.58 4.2 NS NS 0.22 NS 0.13 NS 105
Soybean based intercropping (2:2)
Pigeonpea 22.9 3.08 24.5 2.69 31.0 3.10 31.0 3.41 2.46 849
Sorghum 23.2 3.28 26.1 2.81 34.8 3.21 27.2 3.43 2.44 878
Urdbean 26.3 3.38 26.9 2.68 36.2 3.35 50.8 4.01 2.85 1508
Maize 23.5 3.54 28.1 2.49 35.4 3.48 41.1 3.55 2.63 1118
Sesame 25.1 3.30 27.4 2.62 35.9 3.22 42.9 3.49 2.59 1079
CD(0.05) NS NS NS NS 2.38 NS 10.8 0.43 NS 104
Interaction NS NS NS NS - - - - - 147

Table 9. Effect of Irrigation, land configuration and intercropping on economics of the cropping system as a whole
Treatments Net Return (INR/ha)* BCR
Kharif Rabi System Kharif Rabi System
(Intercropping) (Lentil) (Soyban-lentil) (Intercropping) (Lentil) (Soyban-lentil)
Supplementary Irrigation
Rainfed 30762 13788 44550 2.04 2.12 2.10
Suppl. Irrigation 26008 18867 44875 1.75 2.70 2.08
CD(0.05) NS 894 NS NS 0.14 NS
Land configuration
Flat 25022 14546 39567 1.69 2.14 1.88
BBF 31748 18109 49857 2.10 2.67 2.31
CD(0.05) 3158 2330 2776 0.21 0.35 0.13
Soybean based intercropping (2:2)
Pigeonpea 86016 11222 97238 5.34 1.65 4.26
Sorghum 10762 11836 22599 0.69 1.74 1.01
Urdbean 17633 25494 43128 1.44 3.77 2.27
Maize 10628 16763 27390 0.68 2.46 1.22
Sesame 16885 16321 33207 1.34 2.41 1.71
CD(0.05) 4346 2279 4921 0.28 0.34 0.23
*Interaction is significant

Table 10. Effect of various treatments on organic carbon and nutrient (NPK) status in soil*
Treatments SOC N P K
(%) (kg/ha) (kg/ha) (kg/ha)
Supplementary Irrigation
Rainfed 0.432 204 13.5 403
Suppl. Irrigation 0.419 214 16.8 364
Land configuration
Flat 0.404 209 14.3 376
BBF 0.447 208 16.0 391
Soybean based intercropping (2:2)
Pigeonpea 0.428 213 15.7 389
Sorghum 0.443 207 13.2 377
Urdbean 0.428 209 15.9 391
Maize 0.446 206 14.0 372
Sesame 0.383 206 13.8 384
Initial Status 0.420 198 15.5 368
*(0-15 cm soil, after 2014-15 crop cycle and nutrient availability in soil)
 Praharaj et. al.: Scaling productivity and farm income with soybean based cropping system under Central India
lentil system was not influenced by irrigation (Table 6). In
addition to yield, other growth and harvest attributes were
similarly influenced as that of grain yield (Table 8). Study
also showed that SOC and PK status were also higher under
BBF and inclusion of pulses in the intercropping system
(Table 10). The study thus, confirmed the sustainability of
soybean system with pulses (Jat and Praharaj 2018)
especially pigeonpea and urdbean. It was also evident that
on intercropping with pulses/cereal/oilseed in terms of total
system productivity for both Kharif + Rabi (soybean
+intercrop-lentil), significantly higher total productivities
and net returns were recorded with the crops where
maximum threshold biomass were obtained as in case of
soybean + pigeonpea - lentil (followed by soybean +
urdbean - lentil).
The study showed that success of intercropping was
possible if it was composed of ideal short duration varieties
which were compatible to the agro-ecological condition
existing in the region. In this experimentation carried out
during 2014-16, it revealed that total system productivity
for both Kharif + Rabi (soybean + intercrop-lentil) was
very high due to at least one intercrop (yield) and, the
system was a success. As an example here, significantly
higher total soybean productivity was recorded with
soybean + pigeonpea - lentil followed by soybean + urdbean
- lentil under heavy soil condition of India’s Central Zone.
Nevertheless, as both pigeonpea and sorghum were
harvested late in the season (end of November onwards)
thereby delayed lentil sowing which affected adversely to
Rabi crop (of lentil) and total productivity. Yet, out of these
two crops, because of very high productivity of pigeonpea
(2093 kg/ha), it compensated fully the loss in Rabi crop
yield (as a result of relatively delayed sowing). In addition
to the pertinent effect of both BBF and soybean +
pigeonpea system, supplementary irrigation once to lentil
at pod development could also enhance its productivity
over the rainfed crop. The study inferred that there was
ample possibility for sustainability of soybean system in
Central India through diversifying the system by
amalgamating it (through inter- & crop rotation) with pulses,
like short duration pigeonpea and urdbean.
The study concluded that significantly higher system
productivity could be realised under BBF over flat planting
both during Kharif and Rabi. This had resulted in realizing
higher yields in all the intercrops under BBF during Kharif
season. On intercropping with pulses/cereal/oilseed,
249
significantly higher system productivities were recorded
with improved varieties involving soybean + pigeonpea -
lentil system followed by soybean + urdbean - lentil in
Central Zone of India. Because of possibility of scanty
rainfall and its uneven distribution during Rabi,
supplementary irrigation once to lentil enhanced its
productivity over the rainfed crop.
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Praharaj CS, Kumar Rajesh, Akram M, Jha UC, Singh Ummed, Kumar
Narendra, Singh SS and Singh SK. 2015b.Dissemination of pulses
production technologies for enhancing profitability of farmers
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Journal of Food Legumes 32(4): 250-255, 2019
Genotypic variability for phosphorous acquisition efficiency of chickpea in
P-deficient inceptisol
MOHAN SINGH, M SENTHILKUMAR and 1SK CHATURVEDI
Indian Institute of Pulses Research,Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India; 1Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University,
Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, India; E-mail: senthil_iari@yahoo.co.in
(Received : September 2, 2019; Accepted : October 11, 2019)
ABSTRACT
Impact of soil phosphorous deficiency on nodulation, biomass
development in elite breeding and selected minicore lines
of chickpea were assessed during 2014-18. Reduction in
nodule number and its mass per plant due to P-deficiency
ranged from 2 to 70% among tested elite chickpea genotypes.
Maximum reduction in nodulation and non-significant
reduction in plant weight of IPC 2010-88 under conditions
of low and high fertility soil indicated the efficiency of
alternate nutrient uptake mechanisms operating under low
fertility soils. At late vegetative stage, IPC 2010-167 and IPC
2010-55 showed minimum biomass reduction of 12%, while
IPC 2009-197 and IPC 2010-88 showed almost 70% reduction
in plant dry weight. Among tested chickpea minicore lines,
there were significant variations in reduction in total plant
dry weight due to P-deficiency among the accessions
evaluated in the field. Highest dry weight was recorded in
ICC 13219 (26.1 g/plant) compared to ICC 2507 (7.13g/plant).
Poor root hair density of ICC 13219 indicated the presence
of alternate mechanisms other than root hair density for
high P acquisition efficiency. Nitrogen and phosphorus
uptake in seed and total plant at harvest also showed
significant variations among the different accessions of
chickpea. ICC 6537 and ICC 7272, with no significant
difference in total nitrogen and phosphorus uptake in plants
grown under low and high phosphorus availability in soil,
were selected for further studies. The variation in total
phosphorus uptake in different accessions under limited
soil-P availability was due to the differences in both P-
acquisition efficiency and its utilization for various
physiological functions including biological nitrogen
fixation.
Keywords: Chickpea, Minicore, Phosphorous Acquisition
Efficiency, Symbiosis
Pulses are grown mostly under rainfed conditions
where soil fertility is very low. P-deficiency usually resulted
in poor seed and protein yield of pulse crops in all types of
Indian soils and become a major reason for increase in cost
of cultivation. It also limits symbiotic nitrogen fixation, a
signature feature of legumes that improve soil fertility and
health. India is the top importer of phosphate rock,
accounting for approximately 24 percent of the world
imports. Additionally, the global demand for Pi fertilizers is
projected to increase significantly with the explosive growth
of the global population. Thus, it has been predicted that
global Pi reserves will be depleted within 100 years or even
sooner (Herrera-Estrella and López-Arredondo, 2016). Even
application of higher dose of phosphotic fertilizers to
overcome P-deficiency in marginal lands cannot improve
agricultural yield, since large portion of applied P-fertilizer
is fixed into plant unavailable complexes. The use of
phosphate also falls under scrutiny due to its role in a
deleterious process known as eutrophication. Unlike
nitrogen, P is immobile and continuous usages of non-
renewable resource for P-fertilizer production and continued
fixation of applied P in agricultural land will disturb the
global P-cycle in our earth. Though the government invests
huge money on importing rock phosphate, P acquisition
efficiency (PAE) of pulses is very low (17-20%). Hence, in
the view of exhaustion of non-renewable resources,
disturbance of P-cycle, high investment for importing P
fertilizers/raw materials, it is essential to improve the P-
efficiency of pulses. Since plant associated microbes can
improve P-availability through solubilization and improve
P-uptake by inducing Pi transporter genes in root and
nodules of chickpea, it is essential to understand the host
genotype and microbiome interactions for improving P-
acquisition and use efficiency in farmers’ field. Initial
screening of mungbean germplasm indicated the presence
of genetic variability in root exudation and P uptake
efficiency (Singh and Pandey, 2003). Under Phosphorus
deficient condition increased release of citric acid and oxalic
acid coupled with increased root volume enhanced the
availability of P in the rhizosphere of black gram (Shridevi
and Kajjidoni, 2011). In-situ field screening of groundnut
genotypes for phosphorus efficiency under P deficit field
conditions, identified P efficient genotypes GG 5, PBS 11037,
PBS 11046, PBS 13007, PBS 20505 and SP 250A (Singh et al.
2015). The groundnut genotypes ICGV 86590, ICG 14475,
Mutant 68 and ICGV 92188 were found superior in both
acquisition and utilization of phosphorus due to enhanced
root production and shoot expansion under P stress
condition. The significant linear relationship between pH
and carboxylate exudation suggested that root acidification
might be used as a rapid and simple measure to predict low-
P induced carboxylate efflux during germplasm screening
(follow JFL pattern and Pandey, 2016). Identification and
development of chickpea genotypes with high phosphorus
acquisition and use efficiency from low fertility soils is
therefore prerequisite for improving chickpea productivity
and production in India. Present investigation is focused
to understand the adverse effect of P-deficiency on
 Singh et al.: Genotypic variability for P acquisition efficiency of chickpea in P-deficient inceptisol 251

nodulation, growth, and grain yield as well as to identify were observed for determining percent reduction in shoot
the P-efficient genotypes of chickpea and find out the role biomass, nodulation and grain yield due to the P-deficiency.
of root architecture in improving the use efficiency of Another field experiment was conducted to evaluate above
applied phosphorus in chickpea. mentioned chickpea minicore accessions for variations in
nutrient uptake and seed quality under conditions of
MATERIALS AND METHODS phosphorus deficiency in soil. Plants were sampled at the
Experiment site and assessment on the soil characteristics: time of crop maturity and plant dry weight, shoot dry weight
Field experiments were conducted at New Research Campus, and grain yield per plant was determined in plants grown
ICAR-Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur, India under contrasting soil phosphorus availability.
during 2014-15 to 2017-18. Field strips with contrasting Microscopic analysis on root hair density of chickpea
availability of phosphorus were developed through genotypes: Root hair distribution and its density of six
fertilizing them differentially with and without application chickpea genotypes with contrasting growth behavior via
of phosphotic fertilizers during last ten years. A strip ICC 2072, ICC 3230, ICC 5337, ICC 5383, ICC 6816, and ICC
receiving double the dose of recommended P-fertilizers 13219 were analyzed through light microscopy. Plants were
rates to Rabi crops for the last ten years was designated as grown in pots and roots from 20 days old plantlets were
high phosphorus while the other adjoining strip, designated washed out carefully with sterile water, stained with trypan
as low phosphorus strip, did not receive any phosphotic blue and then subjected to light microscopy.
fertilizers during similar period of crop management. Soil
chemical analysis for plant nutrients before initiation of the RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
experiment showed difference in availability of phosphorus Phosphorous acquisition efficiency of elite chickpea
and other nutrients in soil. Nutrient status of the field strips genotypes: Twelve elite genotypes of chickpea along with
with contrasting P-availability was determined as per two checks viz. RSG 888 and JG 16 were evaluated for P-
standard soil analysis protocols. acquisition efficiency, nodulation and seedling growth
Phosphorous acquisition efficiency of elite chickpea under contrasting soil phosphorus availability. Soil
genotypes: Field experiments were conducted to evaluate phosphorus deficiency reduced nodulation in all the
the effect of soil phosphorus deficiency on growth, nutrient genotypes and reduction in number and mass per plant
uptake, grain yield and its protein content among the elite ranged from 1.73 to 68.32 per cent (Table 1). Maximum
chickpea genotypes and selected accessions of chickpea reduction of more than 65 percent in nodule numbers and
minicore. In Experiment-1, twelve elite genotypes of weight per plant were observed in IPC 2010-67 and IPC
chickpea (Table 1) were evaluated for P-acquisition 2010-88 while minimum reduction of less than 3 per cent
efficiency, nodulation and seedling growth along with two was recorded in IPC 2008-68. Nodulation in checks RSG
checks viz. RSG 888 and JG 16 on high and low fertility 888 and JG 16 also decreased but the reduction in numbers
status with distinct differences in phosphorus availability. was less in RSG 888 as compared to JG 16. In other genotypes
In another field experiment, selected accessions of chickpea the reduction in nodule numbers and mass per plant ranged
minicore, wild relatives along with three checks viz. JG 16, from 28 to 60 percent. The reduction in nodulation resulted
RSG 888 and BG 256 were grown under low and high P- in reduction in accumulation of biomass in seedling. Shoot
status under field conditions. Plants samples at three and root dry weights of different genotypes decreased from
different stages (25, 60, and 90 days after sowing -DAS) 20 to 60 per cent due to P deficiency in soil. IPCK 1011-131,
Table 1. Effect of phosphorus deficiency on nodulation and growth of elite genotypes of chickpea at early stage of plant
% Reduction
Chickpea genotypes Nodule/plant Nodule Shoot dry Root dry Total plant dry
weight/plant (g) weight/plant weight/plant weight/plant
IPC 2008-68 1.73 3.20 42.49 46.56 43.16
RSG 888 6.25 69.52 62.32 39.93 58.91
JG16 27.03 43.97 45.06 43.44 44.83
IPC 2008-83 28.06 16.68 42.64 45.65 43.19
IPC 2009-197 28.57 69.88 49.46 54.10 50.22
IPCK 2011-131 29.06 51.29 20.75 28.52 22.09
IPC 2009-45 32.62 41.79 52.14 48.36 51.53
IPC 2005-44 41.88 35.60 48.21 27.34 45.07
IPC 2006-14 44.26 60.43 30.00 37.27 31.36
IPC 2008-34 44.55 64.08 42.31 39.18 41.74
IPC 2009-50 44.60 30.97 52.91 40.44 51.08
IPC 2010-55 59.44 68.48 63.42 37.11 60.11
IPC 2010-67 65.52 52.89 42.93 26.95 40.32
IPC 2010-88 68.32 84.39 50.81 48.79 50.48
252 Journal of Food Legumes 32(4), 2019
a kabuli type chickpea showed around 30 per cent reduction
in nodule numbers but only 20 per cent reduction in shoot
dry weight. IPC 2008-68 showed minimum reductions in
nodule numbers and mass but its seedling weight was
reduced by 43 per cent. Data on nodulation and seedling
growth clearly showed significant differences among the
chickpea genotypes for growth and nutrient uptake under
conditions of low phosphorus availability in soil. Similarly,
Srinivasarao et al. (2006) found a significant difference in
growth, P acquisition and P-utilization efficiency among 20
chickpea genotypes cultivated in different regions of India
when grown in pots under both P stress and at optimum
levels of P supplied as di-ammonium phosphate.
In 2015-16, field experiments were conducted to
evaluate the effect of soil phosphorus deficiency on growth,
nutrient uptake, grain yield and its protein content among
the chickpea genotypes and selected accessions of
chickpea mini core. Reduction in shoot biomass due to the
P-deficiency was observed at all three stages of growth.
Initially, at first stage of growth (25 DAS), variation in
reduction ranged from nil to 35 per cent with maximum
reduction recorded in IPC 2006-14 and minimum reduction
was observed in JG 16, IPC 2010-88, IPC 2009-45 and RSG
888. At 2nd stage of sampling during grand growth stage of
chickpea (60 DAS), genotypic differences among the
genotypes on plant biomass accumulation ranged from nil
to 77 per cent (Fig. 1). IPC 2010-88 showed almost no
differences in plant weight under conditions of low and
high fertility status while IPC 2010-55 showed maximum
reduction of 77 per cent as compared to the three check (28
to 36 per cent only). Plants sampled on 90 DAS, from
different genotypes grown at low and high soil fertility
status showed the reduction of 12 to 73 per cent among the
genotypes. IPC 2010-167 and IPC 2010-55 showed minimum
reduction of 12 per cent at this stage while IPC 2009-197
and IPC 2010-88 showed almost 70 per cent reduction in
plant dry weight. Among the checks, highest reduction of
60 per cent was recorded in BG 256. In JG 16 and RSG 888,
reduction in plant biomass due to P-deficiency was 32 and
48 per cent (Fig. 1).
Fig. 1. Reduction (%) in shoot dry weight of chickpea genotypes
due to P-deficiency
Plant growth and accumulation of above ground
biomass depends on nutrients acquisition efficiency and
its utilization for biomass production. Seedling vigor at early
stage of growth was influenced most in IPC 2006-14, IPC
2009-197 while it was not affected in some genotypes like
IPC 2010-88, IPC 2009-45 etc. This reduction in plant
biomass production during grand growth stage was
amplified further due to P-deficiency but the magnitude of
reduction was different among the genotypes. During this
active phase of plant growth demand for nutrients,
especially major nutrients like N and P is highest and due
to differences in biological N-fixation and P-acquisition
efficiency, reduction in plant biomass production varied
from 2 to 77 per cent. P-deficiency in soil not only reduces
nodule numbers per plant as observed in the earlier
experiment but also known to reduce nodule functionality
resulting into reduction in fixation of atmospheric nitrogen.
This reduction in BNF is directly related to the P-acquisition
efficiency of the genotypes. Higher the P-acquisition
efficiency under conditions of P-limitation greater will be
the nitrogen fixation and higher plant biomass production.
Chickpea genotypes showing maximum reduction in plant
biomass due to P-deficiency is an indication of their poor
P-acquisition efficiency compared to the genotypes
showing relatively less reduction in shoot weight.
Therefore, genotypes with different growth behavior
showed different magnitude of reduction in plant weight at
the three observed growth stages.
Phosphorous acquisition efficiency of selected chickpea
minicore accessions: Genotypic variations in selected
accessions of chickpea genotypes of mini core for growth,
nutrient uptake and seed quality under conditions of
phosphorus deficiency in soil was assessed in B-16 field,
NRC, IIPR, Kanpur. Fourteen accessions of chickpea
including two wild types and two varieties of chickpea were
grown on soil with low and high phosphorus availability.
At low phosphorus availability, dry weigh per plant varied
from 7.13 to 26.1 g/plant among the different genotypes
with highest dry weight recorded in ICC 13219 and lowest
plant weight was recorded in ICC 2507. At high soil
phosphorus availability, plant dry weight was significantly
higher compared to the dry weight at low phosphorus
availability in all the accessions of chickpea and it varied
from 10.75 g/plant to 66.8 g/plant. Accession no. ICC 2277
and ICC 3230 produced 5.39 and 8.65 g/plant weight under
low phosphorus while the plant weight with high
phosphorus availability were 33.68 and 51.81 g/plant,
respectively (Table 2). There was about 84 per cent
reduction in plant dry weight due to phosphorus deficiency.
Accession no. ICC 13219 produced 66.8 g/plant dry weight
under high soil phosphorus conditions and P-deficiency
reduced plant weight by 46 per cent. Thus, there were
significant variations in reduction in total plant dry weight
due to P-deficiency among the accessions evaluated in the
field. At low phosphorus availability seed yield per plant in
 Singh et al.: Genotypic variability for P acquisition efficiency of chickpea in P-deficient inceptisol 253

Table 2. Effect of soil phosphorus deficiency on growth and grain yield of selected genotypes and wild accessions from
chickpea minicore
Chickpea Plant weight (g/plant) Shoot weight (g/plant) Seed weight (g/plant)
genotypes Low-P High-P Mean Reduction Low-P High-P Mean Reduction Low-P High-P Mean Reduction
(%) (%) (%)
ICC 2507 7.13 10.75 8.94 33.67 4.21 6.7 5.46 37.16 2.92 4.05 3.485 27.90
ICC 2277 5.39 33.68 19.54 84.00 2.41 20.27 11.34 88.11 2.98 13.41 8.195 77.78
ICC 3230 8.65 51.81 30.23 83.30 4.35 35.71 20.03 87.82 4.3 16.1 10.2 73.29
ICC 6877 16.08 28.97 22.53 44.49 11.77 16.22 14.00 27.44 4.31 12.75 8.53 66.20
ILWC 292 16.18 22.2 19.19 27.12 11.87 11.98 11.93 0.92 4.31 10.22 7.265 57.83
ILWC 257 15.46 40.95 28.21 62.25 9.1 27.93 18.52 67.42 6.36 13.02 9.69 51.15
ICC 6537 13.95 11.28 12.62 -23.67 7.4 6.03 6.72 -22.72 6.55 5.25 5.9 -24.76
ICC 7272 20.46 15.33 17.90 -33.46 13.07 7.98 10.53 -63.78 7.39 7.35 7.37 -0.54
ICC 1098 17.13 33.47 25.30 48.82 9.36 26.23 17.80 64.32 7.77 7.24 7.505 -7.32
ICC 5337 16.49 49.41 32.95 66.63 8.68 27.98 18.33 68.98 7.81 21.43 14.62 63.56
ICC 6821 16.58 19.84 18.21 16.43 8.27 9.64 8.96 14.21 8.31 10.2 9.255 18.53
IPC 2008-34 18.98 30.08 24.53 36.90 9.93 16.68 13.31 40.47 9.05 13.4 11.225 32.46
JG 16 14.61 45.43 30.02 67.84 5.04 20.96 13.00 75.95 9.57 24.47 17.02 60.89
BG 256 23.55 56.62 40.09 58.41 12.68 26.61 19.65 52.35 10.87 30.01 20.44 63.78
RSG 888 23.46 29.69 26.58 20.98 11.13 13.65 12.39 18.46 12.33 16.04 14.185 23.13
ICC 13219 26.1 66.8 46.45 60.93 8.51 32.41 20.46 73.74 17.59 34.39 25.99 48.85
Mean 16.26 34.14 8.61 19.19 7.65 14.96

different accessions of chickpea ranged from 2.92 to 17.6 g/
plant as compared to 4.0 to 34.4 g/plant at high soil-P.
Maximum reduction of 77 per cent in seed yield due to P-
deficiency was observed in ICC 2277, ICC 3230 while in
accession no. ICC 6537, ICC 7272 and ICC 1098, there were
either no reduction/ or seed yield was more or less equal
under condition of high and low P availability. ICC 1098
showed 64 per cent reduction in shoot weight due to P
deficiency but grain weights per plant at both the fertility
labels were same. This showed the ability of this accession
to efficiently partition the assimilated carbon into grain
under stress of phosphorus as compared to others. ICC
13219 produced highest grain yield per plant at low P but it
recorded about 49 per cent reduction in grain yield due to P
deficiency. Three checks used showed 23 to 60 per cent
reduction in grain yield per plant due to P-deficiency.
Recently, Keneniet al.(2015) screened 155 chickpea
genotypes with and without P fertilizer in Ethiopia and
identified several landraces which outperformed a
(A)
commercial cultivar (Natoli) for P acquisition, PUE and
agronomic characters including grain yield. It clearly
indicates the possibilities for developing better varieties
for PUE using chickpea landraces collected from Ethiopia.
Internal P-utilization efficiency is often lower in plants with
high P-acquisition efficiency as a result of higher tissue P
concentrations (Rose et al.2011). Recently, Pang et al. (2018)
confirmed the existence of very large variations in all
measured plant traits of chickpea genotypes grown under
low-P conditions and identified five genotypes (ICC 8350,
ICC 9848, ICC 2277, ICC 7315, ICC 8261) as top 10% of
genotypes for shoot DW, root DW, shoot P content, P-
utilization efficiency and physiological P-use efficiency.
Nitrogen and phosphorus uptake in seed and total
plant at harvest also showed significant variations among
the different accessions of chickpea. Total nitrogen content
of plant under conditions of P-deficiency varied from 92.3
to 553 mg/plant among the different accessions with highest
(B)

Fig. 2. Root hairs development (A) and plant growth (B) of chickpea genotypes under contrasting P-availability
254 Journal of Food Legumes 32(4), 2019

uptake observed in ICC 13219 and lowest in ICC 2277 (Table uptake in straw is reported to increase significantly upto 40
3). Under high phosphorus availability, two accessions kg P2O5/ha. Total phosphorus uptake was similarly reduced
namely ICC 5337 and ICC 13219 assimilated highest nitrogen due to the deficiency of phosphorus in soil but minimum
in plant biomass with total N uptake of 1107 and 1565 mg/ reduction was noticed in ICC 6537 and ICC 7272. In the
plant, respectively. P-deficiency in soil resulted into the 64 accession ICC 1098, phosphorus uptake was not declined
and 70% reduction in total N uptake in these accessions. In under conditions of P-limitation in soil but total nitrogen
other accessions also similar reductions in nitrogen uptake uptake was decreased by 38%. The variation in total
due to P-deficiency was noticed except in ICC 6537 and phosphorus uptake in different accessions under conditions
ICC 7272, with no difference in total nitrogen content in of phosphorus limitation in soil is probably due to the
plants grown under low and high phosphorus availability differences in both P-acquisition efficiency and its utilization
in soil. Among the three checks used in this experiment, for various physiological functions including biological
minimum reduction of 28% was observed in RSG 888 while nitrogen fixation.
in other two genotypes viz. BG 256 and JG 16 it was around Chickpea seed nitrogen content is positively related
70% reduction due to P-deficiency. Balai et al. (2017) with protein content, an important seed quality parameter.
reported that nitrogen content and uptake in chickpea grain Positive correlation was established between the content
increased significantly with increasing levels of of seed protein with increasing levels of available
phosphorus upto 60 kg P2O5/ha. However, N content and phosphorus (Singh et al.2003; Meena et al.2005).
Table 3: Effect of P-deficiency on nutrient (Nitrogen and Application of 60 kg P2O5/ha significantly increase the
phosphorus) content and total uptake in chickpea protein content in seed by the extent of 44.43, 21.21 and
Chickpea Seed N-content Seed P-content 7.65 per cent over control, 20 and 40 kg P2O5/ha, respectively
genotypes (mg/g) (mg/g) (Balaiet al.2017). Under phosphorus deficiency, seed
Low-P High-P Low-P High-P nitrogen content ranged from 22.6 to 37.8 mg-N/g seed
ICC 6877 22.60 32.90 3.22 4.09 (Table 4). Under high soil phosphorus availability, the range
ILWC 292 24.50 37.10 2.64 5.79
of nitrogen content however varied from 29 to 46 mg-N/g
ICC 7272 25.40 30.40 2.75 4.38
ICC 5337 26.90 29.00 3.10 3.66 seed. It showed significant reduction in seed nitrogen
ICC 6537 26.90 44.10 3.31 4.13 content due to phosphorus deficiency in soil. In some
ILWC 257 28.30 38.50 3.15 3.76 accessions such as ICC 6537, and ICC 6877, nitrogen
BG 256 28.30 46.20 2.76 4.06 content in seed were 27 and 22.6 mg-N/g under P-deficiency
ICC 1098 28.70 39.20 3.14 3.74
RSG 888 28.80 39.20 3.41 3.83
as compared to 44.1 and 32.9 mg-N/g under high P
ICC 6821 28.80 34.90 3.05 5.32 conditions. Nitrogen content of seeds of BG 256 decreased
ICC 3230 30.10 39.90 3.61 3.86 from 46.2 to 28.3 mg-N/g due to P deficiency, whereas in JG
IPC 2008-34 30.10 34.40 3.29 2.17 16 the differences were small. Seeds of RSG 888 also showed
ICC 2507 32.50 33.40 2.72 2.92
significant reduction in nitrogen content due to P deficiency.
JG 16 33.60 37.80 2.79 4.58
ICC 2277 33.90 36.40 3.31 4.39 Root hairs are important attributes related to the
ICC 13219 37.80 35.70 2.92 3.76

Table 4: Effect of P-deficiency on seed nutrient contents in selected genotypes of chickpea

Chickpea Nutrient uptake in Seed (mg/plant) Plant uptake (mg/plant)
genotypes Nitrogen Phosphorus Total -N Total -P
Low-P High-P Low-P High-P Low-P High-P Mean Reduction (%) Low-P High-P Mean Reduction (%)
ICC 2277 80.16 591.38 0.75 55.38 92.31 612.42 306.21 84.93 10.61 64.99 37.80 83.67
ICC 2507 98.11 153.09 0.85 18.55 120.51 252.52 126.26 52.28 9.00 21.30 15.15 57.73
ICC 3230 97.18 529.69 1.80 65.85 120.63 829.65 414.83 85.46 15.65 81.92 48.78 80.90
ICC 6877 105.60 473.03 5.89 73.82 199.52 627.44 313.72 68.20 17.26 93.92 55.59 81.62
ILWC 257 183.17 510.38 2.64 49.87 257.06 760.64 380.32 66.20 24.33 71.93 48.13 66.18
ILWC 292 162.92 364.85 7.44 38.43 270.10 455.42 227.71 40.69 20.03 43.00 31.52 53.43
ICC 6537 197.16 209.48 4.50 20.27 280.04 278.70 139.35 -0.48 28.14 23.65 25.90 -19.02
JG 16 243.08 743.89 2.01 107.18 280.83 961.45 480.73 70.79 28.32 108.92 68.62 74.00
ICC 6821 239.33 355.98 2.95 54.26 297.22 421.24 210.62 29.44 28.30 55.47 41.88 48.98
ICC 1098 233.88 249.06 1.62 15.71 303.33 491.42 245.71 38.28 27.18 19.70 23.44 -38.00
ICC 5337 221.02 825.06 1.98 80.58 325.53 1107.09 553.55 70.60 26.58 112.70 69.64 76.41
IPC 2008-34 306.80 487.76 5.42 58.83 379.78 669.91 334.95 43.31 35.38 86.60 60.99 59.15
ICC 7272 240.18 245.49 5.92 21.46 382.90 310.29 155.14 -23.40 26.02 24.25 25.13 -7.32
BG 256 307.62 1386.46 2.35 121.84 416.80 1572.73 786.37 73.50 32.35 138.92 85.64 76.72
RSG 888 331.68 465.16 4.74 58.71 422.05 583.64 291.82 27.69 42.96 62.64 52.80 31.41
ICC 13219 504.83 1348.09 1.27 128.62 553.00 1565.88 782.94 64.68 56.50 150.17 103.34 62.38
Mean 222.04 558.68 3.26 60.58 293.85 718.78 359.39 26.79 72.50 49.65
 Singh et al.: Genotypic variability for P acquisition efficiency of chickpea in P-deficient inceptisol
nutrient uptake in plants. The root hairs density as well as
length have been assessed and found to relate with the
variations in plant growth and nutrient uptake. In order to
study the differences in root hairs distribution and its
density in chickpea plant, six genotypes with differences
in their growth behavior were grown in pots and roots were
washed out carefully to study the root hairs distribution
under microscope after staining with trypan blue. ICC 2072,
ICC 5337 and ICC 6816 produced root hairs densities higher
as compared to ICC 3230, ICC 5383 and ICC 13219 (Fig. 2).
The root hairs density observed at early stage of plant
growth showed little relationship with the plant biomass
recorded during grand growth and harvest stages. Low
soil phosphorus has little effect on growth of ICC 13219 as
compared to ICC 5337. Root hairs density of ICC 5337 was
however very high as compared to the ICC 5337. Similarly,
the difference in root hairs densities were not related with
growth behavior observed in other varieties.
This report conclude that genotypic variations are
available in chickpea minicore for phosphorous acquisition
efficiency and the same could be utilized for developing
the high yielding genotypes under conditions of low fertility
and phosphorus availability.
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Journal of Food Legumes 32(4): 256-260, 2019
Effect of salt tolerant Trichoderma spp on growth and nodulation of mungbean
(Vigna radiata L.)
KRISHNA KUMAR, UTKARSH SINGH RATHORE, SANDEEP KUMAR, MONIKA MISHRA,
SONIKA PANDEY and RK MISHRA
ICAR-Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India; E-mail: rajpathologist@yahoo.com
(Received : May 12, 2019; Accepted : September 11, 2019)
ABSTRACT
Apart from their biocontrol potential, Trichoderma spp
stimulate plants growth through several direct and indirect
effects that influence various growth parameters. In this
study, effect of thirteen salinity tolerant isolates of
Trichoderma spp from tropical island ecosystem on seed
germination, seedling vigor and nodulation of Vignaradiata
was studied. The highest vigour was observed for isolate
TNR4 with maximum shoot length (39.13 cm). Overall seed
germination rate was increased with highest germination
of 80% and vigor index of 4730. Trichoderma treated plants
produced greater number of root nodules per plant than
control plants indicating the fact that Trichoderma spp.
enhances root nodulation of mungbean crop. Maximum
nodulation was recorded due to application of isolates viz.,
TNR4, TV3, NRT1, and TGD1, respectively.
Keywords: Growth promotion, Mungbean, Trichoderma, Salt
tolerance
Protein deficiency among countries including India
where non-vegetarian diets are not the primary source
affects millions of people. Pulses provide major protein and
other micronutrients supply in these countries. Mungbean
(Vigna radiata L. Wilczek), an affluent source of protein
content (25–28%), essential amino acids, fibers, minerals,
fatty acids, and vitamins, is one of the major pulse crops
considered as an important source of protein in developing
countries. Its high nutritive food value makes it a people’s
common choice in their diet as salad (raw) or daal (Rathore
et al. 2018). Mungbean is also rich in iron and folate as
compared to leguminous crops and enhances soil fertility
by fixing atmospheric nitrogen symbiotically with
Rhizobium (Keatinge et al. 2011) (Elahi et al. 2004). India
contributes about 70% of world’s total production of mung
bean and stands as leading producer (Raturiet al. 2012;
Shrivastava et al. 2014). However, still the production of
mung bean is limited due to various abiotic and biotic
stresses. Among all stresses salt stress is one of the major
abiotic stresses that affect plant growth, development, and
crop yield (Ma et al. 2012; Rivero et al. 2014). Vulnerability
towards salinity stress has restricted the productivity of
mungbean. Under salt conditions, mungbean often produce
an extensively low grain yield with reduced quality. Studies
have revealed that salt stress can provoke several
morphological, physiological, and metabolic responses of
plants. (Garg and Manchanda, 2009). Also, plants grown
under salt stress conditions usually synthesize several
kinds of soluble compounds as well as soluble sugars and
proteins, which may possibly help adjust osmoticum,
maintain cell turgor, and alleviate cell structures, resulting
stunt growth (Bartels and Sunkar, 2005). At the present
time, about 6% of the arable land on the earth is salt affected,
especially in arid and semiarid regions (Bui, 2013). This
seriously threatens global agricultural sustainability and
food security. Thus, it is critically important to develop
effective and practical techniques to alleviate the negative
effects of salt stress on plant growth and development. A
new, innovative technique that has attracted a great deal of
attention in recent years is to use plant-growth-promoting
fungi to induce plant resistance to abiotic stress. It is an
effective approach for enhancing plant tolerance to salt
stress and this approach may play a role in the development
of sustainable agricultural systems. Trichoderma spp. is
one of the important groups of rhizosphere microorganisms,
which can impart some beneficial effects on promoting plant
growth and development (Harman et al. 2004; Qi and Zhao,
2013). Trichoderma species have also been known to be
used as biological control agents for controlling different
species of plant fungus diseases for decades (Harman et
al. 2004, Mishra et al. 2016, 2018). The ability to promote
growth and induce resistance in plants is a mechanism which
has also been described for members of this genus
(Harman, 2006). Mastouriet al. (2010) have reported that
Trichodermacan enhance tomato (Solanumlycopersicum)
seed germination under biotic and abiotic stresses,
alleviating oxidative damage in osmotic stressed seedlings.
Little information is available regarding the potential and
possible mechanisms of plant-growth-promoting fungi in
enhancing the tolerance of mungbean to salt stress.
Application of plant growth promoting Trichoderma as crop
inoculants for phytostimulation, biofertilization and
biocontrol could be an alternative option of chemical
fertilizers (Meena et al. 2017b, 2017c; Rathore et al. 2018).
Use of environment friendly and potentially cost-effective
microbial bio-fertilizer could be a better solution (Mishra
and Gupta, 2012). The present study wasconducted to study
the effects of salinity tolerant Trichoderma spp. on growth
and nodulation of Vigna radiata.
 Kumar et al.: Effect of salt tolerant Trichoderma spp in mungbean 257

MATERIALS AND METHODS The supernatant of  the  culture  fluid  was  obtained  by

centrifuge at 4 °C for 15 min at 8000 rpm. Then, Salkowski
Trichoderma isolates and fungal pathogens: Thirteen
coloring reagent (35% HClO4 50 ml, 0.5 M FeCl3 1 ml) and
isolates of Trichoderma spp. from Andaman and Nicobar
the supernatant were mixed in the ratio of 2:1 and left in the
Islands, a tropical Island ecosystem of Indiawere maintained
dark for 30 min. After the reaction, the absorbance of the
on Potato Dextrose Agar slants (PDA, Hi Media) for further
mixtures was estimated at 540 nm. The IAA concentration
studies. (Manigundan et al. 2014). (Table-1).
in the culture was estimated based on the IAA standard
Table 1: Details of Trichoderma spp. isolated from curve.
rhizosphere region
Plate assay for screening of siderophore-producing
Isolates Species Identified Accession Number strains: Siderophore production by various putative
TSH1 Trichoderma asperellum KX538811
NRT1 Trichoderma asperellum KX538815
Trichoderma isolates was determined following the
T7 Trichoderma asperellum KX538812 universal assay of Schwyn and Neilands (Schwyn and
TDK2 Trichoderma aureoviride KJ879447 Neilands 1987; Milagres et al., 1999). Briefly CAS blue
TV3 Trichoderma asperellum KX538814
agarwasprepared usingFe-CAS indicator solution, 60.5 mg
NKT2 Trichoderma asperellum KX538806
TGN3 Trichoderma harzianum KJ879446 CAS dissolved in 50 ml water and mixed with 10 ml iron (III)
TNR4 Trichoderma asperellum KX838808 solution (1 mM FeCl3 6H2O, 10 mMHCl). Under stirring
MTB1 Trichoderma harzianum KX538816 condition, this solution was slowly added to 72.9 mg C Tab
MTC 3 Trichoderma asperellum KX538813
MTC1 Trichoderma virens KX538817 dissolved in 40 ml water. The resultant dark blue liquid was
TGD1 Trichoderma asperellum KX538809 autoclaved and cooled to 50 °C. Trichoderma isolates
TFR2 Trichoderma asperellum KX538807 inoculated on the CAS-blue agar were incubated at 30 °C
for 48 h.Colour-changed from blue to purple oryellow-
Mungbean seeds were collected from the Division orange) in the C.A.S.-blue agar.
of Crop Improvement, ICAR-IIPR, Kanpur. The seeds were
Plate assay for phosphate-solubilizing activity:The test
surface sterilized with 2% solution of sodium hypochlorite,
of relative efficiency for phosphate solubiliza-tion was
sown in clay pots and further in field.
carried out by screening the Trichoderma spp. capable of
The direct effect of NaCl was tested on growth of producing a purple to yellow in zones of acidification on
Trichoderma spp. cultured on potato dextrose agar medium pikovaskyas agar plate containing Bromocresol blue owing
amended with NaCl at 5%, 10% and 15% concentrations. to the production of organic acids into the surrounding
The diameter of colonies was measured on 6th day after medium (Mehta and Nautiyal, 2001; Rodriguez and Fraga,
inoculation including 5 mm plug of Trichoderma spp. 1999). Similarly, broth medium containing insoluble
(Table-2). tricalcium phosphate as the single phosphorus source were
Table 2. Identification of salt tolerant Trichoderma isolates used to detect phosphate-solubilizing activity of isolates.
Isolates 5% (mm) 10% (mm) 15% (mm)
5mm disc of Trichoderma isolate was placed on the agar
TSH1 61 56 48 plate and after incubation at 28 °C for at least one week, the
NRT1 43 39 28 purple to yellow in zones around grown mycelium indicated
T7 35 34 32 the phosphate solubilizing activity of Trichoderma isolates
TDK2 41 38 35 (Frey-Klett et al., 2005, Gordon and Weber, 1950). For
TV3 62 57 43
NKT2 42 33 32 quantitative analysis, broth supplemented with 0.025 g of
TGN3 41 32 31 bromophenol blue was used. The Trichoderma isolates
TNR4 77 65 56 were cultured for 2 days in PDB broth. The pre cultured
MTB1 43 39 36 Trichoderma spores were transferred into broth and
MTC 3 41 32 30
MTC1 39 34 32
incubated at 28 °C for 3 days at 250 rpm. The cultured
TGD1 45 39 33 Trichoderma were then harvested by centrifugation at
TFR2 29 25 21 5000 rpm for 20 min. The optical densityof the obtained
culture supernatant was measured at 600 nm.
Plant growth Promotion activities of Trichoderma spp.
under in vitro : Auxin, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), produced Seed germination, root-shoot growth and vigor index
by the cultures was estimated by growing the isolates in study: Bio-priming of seeds with 1 x 108 CFU/ml of spore
King B (KB) medium supplemented with L-tryptophan as suspension of Trichodermaisolates was used to screen
precursor of IAA (Frey-Klett et al., 2005, Gordon and the plant growth promotion ability of mungbean (Chen et
Weber, 1950, Leveau and Lindow, 2005). The isolates were al. 2007). Briefly, pots were sown with 10 bio-primed seeds
incubated in 100 ml of King B broth (Protease peptone no. of each crop for each treatment. Seeds with sterile water
3 2%, K2HPO4 0.115%, MgSO4·7H2O 0.15%, glycerol 1.5%) were kept as control. 30 days after seed germination and
supplemented with 0.1% (w/v) L-tryptophan and incubated shoot and root lengths were recorded using standard
until the OD600 reached at 0.6-0.7 at 30 °C for at least 16 h. scaling method and vigor index was calculated using
258 Journal of Food Legumes 32(4), 2019

following formula (Shanmugaiah et al. 2009). VI= (Lr + Ls) x Phosphate-solubilizing activity: The release of insoluble
(percentage of germination), Where; Lr =Root length, Ls= and fixed forms of phosphorus is an important aspect of
Shoot length. increasing soil phosphorus availability (Rodriguez and
Effect of Trichoderma spp. on nodulation of mungbean: Fraga 1999). The use of phosphate-solubilizing
Root nodulation in 50-60 days old mungbean plant Trichoderma as inoculants simultaneously increase
inoculated with 1 x 108 CFU/ml of spore suspension of phosphorus uptake by the plant and crop yield (Mehta
Trichodermaspp. was observed and recorded as number and Nautiyal, 2001). Among 13 isolates, all Trichoderma
of nodules per plant. isolates exhibited the phosphate-solubilizing activity by
forming clear zones on NBRIP agar plates. The all isolates
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION solubilized variable amount of phosphates ranging from 60
to 163.1 µg/ml (Table3).
Effect of NaCl: Trichoderma showed a high range of NaCl
tolerance. The highest tolerance was shown by TNR-4 Table 3. Effects of Trichoderma spp. on plant growth attributes
followed by TV-3, TGD-1 and NRT-1. It was observed that Isolates Auxin production Phosphate Siderophore
at 5% concentration of NaCl, growth and sporulation was (µg/ml) solubilization production Zone
(µg/ml) width(cm)
good. Growth was supported well at 10% concentration. TSH1 6.7 60.0 1.3
At 15% concentration, the growth but sporulation was poor NRT1 4.6 123.1 1.5
in all the isolates. (Table-2) T7 2.8 163.1 0.0
TDK2 3.2 110.0 1.8
TV3 6.0 154.7 1.9
Plant growth Promotion activities of Trichoderma NKT2 4.7 148.4 1.4
spp. under in vitro TGN3 0.6 156.8 1.0
TNR4 16.7 110.5 1.4
Production of auxin: IAA is the main auxin in plants, MTB1 6.7 95.7 1.8
controlling many important physiological processes including MTC 3 3.5 134.7 1.6
MTC1 5.3 153.6 1.7
cell enlargement and division, tissue differentiation, and TGD1 28.1 103.1 1.8
responses to  light  (Frey-Klett  et  al.,  2005, Gordon  and TFR2 2.9 74.7 1.7
Weber, 1950, Khalid et al., 2004, Leveau and Lindow, 2005).
The auxin production depending on growth phase was
Seed germination, root-shoot growth and vigor index
estimated and it was found that maximal production of auxin
study: Under pot conditions, the effect of treatments on
was usually in the stationary phase. Among 13 isolates, 4
germination percentage was recorded for mung bean. The
(TGD-1, TNR-4, MTB-1 and TSH-1) were able to produce
germination percentage when compared with other
high levels of auxin. The isolates produced variable amount
parameters tested above for 13Trichodermaisolates revealed
of auxins ranging from 0.6 to 28.1 µg/ml (Table-3) while 1
that TNR-4, TV-3, TGD-1 and NRT-1 were reflecting
isolate (TGN-3) produced relatively less auxin (0.6 µg/ml,
significantly higher germination percent among other
respectively). Especially TGD-1, was found highly efficient
isolates in all the crops. Germination percentage along with
IAA.(Table- 3).
shoot and root length reflected high vigor index (TNR-4)
Detection of siderophoreproduction: Several reports from when treated with different Trichoderma isolates (Table-
the past have confirmed that siderophore-producing 4). Various species of Trichoderma proved to be effective
Trichoderma significantly influence the uptake of various in terms of growth promotion in different crops. (Kumar et
metals, including Fe, Zn, and Cu by plants (Carrillo- al.2016).
Castaneda et al. 2005, Egamberdiyeva, 2007, Dimkpa et al. Effect of Trichoderma spp. on nodulation of mungbean:
2008, Dimkpaet al. 2009; Gururani et al. 2012). Application of Trichoderma spp. promoted the root
Siderophores directly stimulate the biosynthesis of other nodulation that varied with Trichoderma spp. maximum
antimicrobial compounds by increasing the availability of nodulation was recorded due to application ofTNR4, TV3,
these minerals to the Trichoderma, which suppresses the NRT1 and TGD1 respectively over control (Table4).
growth of pathogenic organisms viz., F. oxysporum and R.
bataticola, function as stress factors in inducing host The investigation has indicated that the selected
resistance. 11 out of 13 isolates were found to solubilizing Trichoderma spp. acted as a growth promoter and
phosphate with similar efficiencies. All strains produced significantly improved the growth and nodulation of
distinct zones around the colony on the plate. Pink to purple mungbean plants grown in the soil. Therefore, application
zone on solid medium indicated Siderophore production. of multi-trait Trichoderma formulation effective across the
Isolates TV-3, TDK-2, MTB-1 and TGD-1 showed >9 mm crops could be employed for growth promotion of
zone of CAS reaction within 3 days, indicating higher mungbean crop. Based on the analysis of the different
potential forSiderophore production (Table 3). The PGP properties studied, four isolates of Trichodermaviz.,TNR-
isolates showing high siderophore producing activity can 4, TV-3, NRT-1and TGD-1 are prominent candidates with
be further studied for its ability to confer disease resistance respect to nodulation, plant growth and yield attributes
in higher plants.
 Kumar et al.: Effect of salt tolerant Trichoderma spp in mungbean 259

Table 4. Effects of Trichoderma spp on plant growth and its Gururani MA, Venkatesh J, Upadhyaya CP, Nookaraju A, PandeySK
characters* and Park SW. 2012. Plant disease resistance genes: 92 T R
Isolates Root Shoot Length Germination Vigour Root Sharma et al. Current status and future directions Physiological
Length (cm) % Index Nodules** and Molecular Plant Pathology 78: 51-65.
TSH1 16.88 33.38 75 3768.75 28.50 Harman GE, Howell CR, Viterbo A, Chet I and Lorito M. 2004.
NRT1 18.38 36.00 75 4078.13 28.50 Trichoderma species–opportunistic, avirulent plant symbionts.
T7 17.50 33.25 75 3806.25 27.00
Nat Review Microbiology 2: 43–56.
TDK2 15.38 35.13 75 3787.50 24.50
TV3 16.88 36.50 75 4003.13 28.50 Harman GE. 2006. Overview of mechanisms and uses of Trichoderma
NKT2 16.50 38.63 70 3858.75 24.00 spp. Phytopathology 96: 190-194.
TGN3 14.63 33.88 65 3152.50 26.50
TNR4 20.00 39.13 80 4730.00 29.50 Keatinge JDH, Yang RY, Hughes JA, Easdown WJ and Holmer R.
MTB1 15.25 35.38 75 3796.88 27.00 2011. The importance of ensuring both food and nutritional
MTC 3 19.25 33.00 65 3396.25 26.50 security in attainment of the Millennium Development Goals.
MTC1 14.50 34.25 60 2925.00 27.50 Food Section 3: 491-501
TGD1 17.63 35.75 75 4003.13 27.50 KumarK, Manigundan K and Amaresan N. 2016. Influence of salt
TFR2 15.75 33.25 75 3675.00 25.50
tolerant Trichoderma spp. on growth of maize (Zea mays) under
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Velmurugan A, Singh PK and Roy S Dam. 2016. Characterization
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Journal of Food Legumes 32(4): 261-263, 2019
Pulses production in India during last three plan periods- A growth analysis
DEVRAJ, HEMANT KUMAR, SRIPAD BHAT and RAJESH KUMAR
ICAR-Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India; E-mail: devraj@icar.gov.in
(Received : September 25, 2019; Accepted : October 16, 2019)
ABSTRACT
The present study has been carried out to analyse the trends,
growth performance and instability in area, production and
productivity of pulses through time series data for the period
of 15 years (i.e., 2002-03 to 2016-17 which is divided into 3
five years plan periods). The mean, compound growth rate
and coefficient of variation were estimated for three plan
periods and overall period. The analysis highlights the
remarkable increase in area, production and productivity of
total pulses in all the plans and the period as a whole. The
highest growth rates for area (4.9%) was observed in 12th five
year plan followed by 11th. However, the highest compound
growth rates for production (5.5%) and productivity (2.6%)
were estimated during 11th five years plan. Amongst targeted
plan periods, coefficient of variation in area (9.77%),
production (13.48%) and productivity (7.51%) were highest
in 12th five years plan. The problems pertaining to each plan
and the period as a whole were also discussed.
Key words: Compound growth rates, Instability index,
Standard deviation, Coefficient of variance
Pulses are rich source of dietary protein and have
high nutritive value for vegetarians. In addition to this,
pulse crops enrich soil fertility through fixation of
atmospheric nitrogen. The major pulses of commercial
significance in India are Chickpea, Pigeonpea, Mungbean,
Urdbean, Lentil, and Fieldpea. Importance of pulses is not
only due to their commercial significance, but in addition
these are estimated to contribute additional revenue
generation of the grain industry through their benefits in
crop rotation. Therefore, incorporation of pulses in farming
system should be realized as an environmentally
sustainable practice.
Pulses are grown all over the world and account for
almost 82.38 millions ha in area and 81.80 million tonnes of
production during 2016-17. Amongst different pulses
producing countries, India ranks first and contributes about
26% and 22% to the global pulses acreage and production,
respectively (DAC 2016, Indiaagristat.com website) . In
the present study the data of last 15 years (i.e., 2002-03 to
2016-17) have been thoroughly analyzed to explain the
trends, growth patterns and instability in area, production
and productivity of pulses in the country.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The study utilized the secondary time series data of
area, production and productivity of all major pulse crops
viz.  Chickpea, Pigeonpea, Mungbean, Urdbean, Lentil and
Fieldpea for the period of 15 years from 2002-03 to 2016-17.
The data were collected from secondary sources mainly
Agriculture Statistics at a Glance, a publication of the
Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Department of
Agriculture and Cooperation , Government of India (DAC
2016). The present data were broadly partitioned in to last
3 five-years plans in order to demonstrate the trend and
growth pattern of pulses production in more convincing
and simpler manner (Kumar et al. 2005).
Plan Period Code assigned
10th 2002-03 to 2006-07 P(1)
11th 2007-08 to 2011-12 P(2)
12th 2012-13 to 2016-17 P(3)
Overall Period 2002-03 to 2016-17 P
The periods are classified as follows:
The plan-wise classified will facilitate us for inter plan
period analysis and also help the readers in some way, to
know the reasons of progress made in each plan period as
well as overall period to increase the pulses production in
the country (Devraj et al. 2003).
The compound growth rates have been worked out
by fitting the exponential function as below : (Devraj et al.
2014; Dhakre et al. 2013; Dhakre et al. 2009 )
Y = ABt
Where Y: Area/Production/Productivity in tth year and
A and B are constant and regression coefficient,
respectively. ‘t’ is the time variable in years (1,2,_ _ _ _,15)
Compound growth rate (r%) = (B-1)*100
The compound growth rates have been computed
for all the major pulses crops and total pulses in each plan
and overall period.
The coefficient of variance (C.V.) was as a measure of
instability (Dashora et al. 2001):
C.V. = {Standard Deviation (S.D.) / Mean} * 100
Where, S.D. = ∑ =1( − ̅ )2
Where, xi = Area/Production/Productivity of pulse
crop
x = Arithmetic mean of x
n = Total number of observations
262 Journal of Food Legumes 32(4), 2019

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Plan-wise mean of all the major pulse crop and total
pulses area, production and productivity is given in Table-
1. Study showed the increasing trend in all the pulse crops
as well as total pulses in all the plan periods under study.
The mean area, production and productivity of total
pulses was 22.46 million ha, 13.35 million tonnes and 593
kg/ha, respectively during 10th five year plan. Similarly, mean
area, production and productivity was 25.35 million ha,18.83
million tonnes and 742 kg/ha, respectively during 12th five
years plan. Critical, perusal of Table-1 indicated that among
the pulse crops, the chickpea showed highest jump in area,
production and productivity from 10th five years plan to 11th
five years plan .This could be mainly attributed to the
adoption of wilt resistance varieties in place of the
susceptible ones (Kumar et al. 2005). The area, production
and productivity from plan to plan showed upward
tendency in almost all the pulse crops as well as total pulses.
During the overall period (Table-2), the positive
growth rates for area(1.4%), production (3.5%) and
productivity (2.1%) were observed in total pulses. The
highest growth rate for area (4.9%) was observed during
12th five year plan followed by 11th five year plan(2.7%).
However, the highest growth rate was observed during 11th
five year plan for total pulses production (5.5%) and
productivity (2.6%) in the country followed by 10th five year
plan (3.86% and 1.79%, respectively ). Table-2 indicated
that among the different pulse crops in the country, the
chickpea registered highest growth rate in area (2.7%) as
well as production (4.4%) for the overall period. However,
the mungbean recorded highest growth rate in productivity
(3.36%) for the same period. During the total period, lentil
registered lowest growth rate the area (0.07%) and
production (0.94%). However, fieldpea indicates the
negative growth for productivity (-0.04%). Among the
different pulse crops, mungbean observed highest growth
rate in area (10.83%) and production (12.73%) followed by
urdbean (10.30% and 10.84%, respectively) in 12th five year
plan. However, chickpea registered highest growth rate in
area (4.67%) and production (8.12%) during 10th five year
plan. During 12th five year plan, pigeonpea observed highest

Table 1. Plan-wise mean in area, production and productivity of different pulse crops in India during 2002-03 to 2016-17
Pulse Crops P(1) P(2) P(3) P

A P Y A P Y A P Y A P Y
Chickpea 6.82 5.47 799 8.23 7.24 876 8.80 8.43 963 7.95 7.05 879
Pigeonpea 3.51 2.39 681 3.81 2.66 704 4.18 3.27 773 3.83 2.77 719
Urdbean 3.23 1.39 430 3.08 1.48 481 3.62 2.11 586 3.31 1.66 499
Mungbean 3.24 1.14 347 3.32 1.33 402 3.46 1.61 477 3.34 1.36 408
Lentil 1.44 0.95 660 1.47 0.96 656 1.41 1.04 742 1.44 0.98 686
Fieldpea 0.74 0.69 928 0.72 0.62 863 0.94 0.88 944 0.80 0.73 912
Total Pulses 22.46 13.35 593 24.01 15.89 660 25.35 18.83 742 23.94 16.02 665
Note: A, P and Y are Area, Production and Productivity in million ha, million tones and kg/ha, respectively.

Table 2. Plan-wise compound growth rate (%) of area, production and productivity of different pulse crops in India during
2002-03 to 2016-17
Pulse Crops P(1) P(2) P(3) P

A P Y A P Y A P Y A P Y
Chickpea 4.67 8.12 3.30 3.6 7.6 3.7 1.6 -1.8 -3.6 2.7 4.4 1.8
Pigeonpea 1.33 2.64 1.30 4.4 -0.7 -4.7 6.7 7.3 0.6 1.9 3.0 1.0
Mungbean -0.16 -0.82 -0.62 0.56 7.23 7.63 10.83 12.73 2.27 0.87 3.90 3.36
Urdbean -4.32 -2.17 2.21 2.71 8.26 5.99 10.36 10.84 0.9 1.23 4.29 3.12
Lentil 2.11 -0.01 -2.07 5.10 5.42 0.16 1.22 -1.77 -2.99 0.07 0.94 0.87
Fieldpea 3.83 0.86 -2.82 3.97 6.94 2.77 6.98 1.72 -4.86 2.62 2.56 -0.04
Total Pulses 2.02 3.86 1.79 2.7 5.5 2.6 4.9 3.0 -1.8 1.4 3.5 2.1

Table 3. Plan-wise index instability(%) of area, production and productivity in India during 2002-03 to 2016-17
Pulse Crops P(1) P(2) P(3) P
A P Y A P Y A P Y A P Y
Chickpea 8.53 13.95 6.04 7.60 12.88 7.35 6.70 13.74 10.20 12.88 21.88 11.02
Pigeonpea 2.47 8.69 7.06 11.23 12.0 10.23 15.28 26.86 12.21 13.10 22.96 11.07
Mungpea 6.52 29.06 21.07 10.91 34.49 28.97 18.17 21.74 5.51 12.41 29.98 22.88
Urdbean 7.77 7.60 5.34 8.53 19.01 12.53 17.82 20.07 5.83 13.96 26.08 15.57
Lentil 3.91 6.98 7.70 8.26 10.16 7.21 7.75 5.63 6.33 6.62 8.36 8.82
Fieldpea 7.34 11.99 8.93 7.41 14.53 8.13 13.15 11.68 10.73 16.01 19.49 9.57
Total Pulses 5.21 10.68 5.90 6.62 10.81 5.04 9.77 13.48 7.51 8.72 18.35 11.19
 Devraj et al.: Pulses production in India during last three plan periods
Table 4: Pulse Crops in India with combination of different
magnitudes of growth rates and instability in
pulses production
S. No. Magnitude Pulse crops
1. High Growth rate and High Instability Urdbean,
Mungbean
2. Low Growth rate and High Instability Pigeonpea
3. High Growth rate and Low Instability Chickpea
4. Low Growth rate and Low Instability Lentil,
Fieldpea
growth rate in area (6.7%) and production (7.3%).
Mungbean and urdbean witnessed negative growth rate
for both area and production during 10th five year plan.
To assess the consistency of growth performance of
the crop, the coefficient of variation was used as a measure
of instability (reference) in the production of different pulse
crops as well as total pulses for the targeted five years plan
periods and overall period during 2002-03 to 2016-17 (Table-3).
During the overall period, total pulses in the country
as a whole recorded instability in area, production and
productivity as 8.72, 18.35 and 11.19, respectively. Thus,
productivity variability had higher influence on the
production fluctuation in the country. Amongst different
pulses crops, coefficient of variation in production was
highest in mungbean (29.98%) and lowest in lentil (8.36%)
during the same period.
The lowest variation in area of pigeonpea (2.47%)
followed by lentil (3.91%) was observed in the country
during 10th five year plan. Similarly, the lowest variation in
production of lentil (5.65%) was measured in 12th five year plan.
Moreover, the value of instability in general was
higher in 12th five year plan for different pulse crops as
compared to 10th and 11th five year plan period. The higher
order of instability in pulses production is due to mainly its
cultivation under rainfed situation in the country.
Grouping of different pulse crops were made by
combining different magnitudes of growth rates and
instability indices in pulse production (Table 4). Among
the pulses, urdbean and mungbean were recorded high
growth rate and high instability. Lentil and fieldpea were
grouped under low growth rate and low instability. Chickpea
was recorded in high growth and low instability, while
pigeonpea under low growth rate and high instability.
263
Grouping of different pulse crops clearly indicated that
almost two-third of the area under pulses of the country
were having high growth rate.
The study established the fact that all the targeted
pulses as well as total pulses showed increasing trends for
the periods under study. The positive growth rates for area,
production and productivity were registered in different
pulses as well as total pulses for the same period. Among
the different pulse crops, the chickpea registered the
highest growth rate in area and production. However, the
mungbean recorded the highest growth rate in productivity.
Lentil registered lowest growth rate in area and production,
but fieldpea indicated the negative growth rate for
productivity. During the overall period, productivity
variability had higher influence on the fluctuation in
production in the country. Amongst different pulse crops
coefficient of variation in production was the highest in
mungbean and the lowest in lentil. The study revealed that
almost two-third of the area under pulses of the country
had the highest growth rate.
REFERENCES
DAC 2016. Agriculture Statistics at a Glance. Directorate of
Economics and Statistics, Department of Agriculture and
Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare,
Government of India.
Dashora SK, Dhaka JM and Agrawal NL. 2001. Instability of Pulses
Production in Rajasthan. Agriculture Situation in India, October,
335-339.
Devraj, Sharma DK and Singhal RA. 2003. Land Utilization and
Pulses Production in Uttar Pradesh and Uttranchal. Technical
Bulletin, ICAR-IIPR, Kanpur 2: 1-26.
Devraj, Singh SK and Shrama DK.2014. A zone wise analysis on the
growth performance of chickpea production in India. Journal of
Food Legumes 27(3):1-5.
Dhakre SK and Bhattacharya D.2013. Growth and Instability Analysis
of Vegetables in West Bengal, India. International Journal of
Bio-resource and Stress Management 4(3):456-459.
Dhakre DS, Sharma A. 2009. Growth and instability analysis of
ginger production in north-east region. Agricultural Situation in
India LXVI: 463-466.
Kumar H, Devraj and Kumar S. 2005. Production scenario of chickpea
in India: Growth and decomposition analysis. Indian Journal of
Pulses Research 18: 199-201.
Journal of Food Legumes 32(4): 264-267, 2019
Short Communication
Heterosis in relation to molecular diversity in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)
GS THORAT, VN TOPROPE and PB WADIKAR
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Latur, Maharashtra 413 512;
E-mail: venkat_toprope@rediffmail.com
(Received : July 2, 2019; Accepted : September 8, 2019)
ABSTRACT
The present investigation was undertaken to generate
information on heterosis and molecular diversity in chickpea
(Cicer arietinum L.) for important seed yield and its
components traits. Out of fifteen crosses, SAKI 9516 x ICC
101 and SAKI 9516 x ICC 111 had positive and significant
mid parent and better parent heterosis for number of primary
branches/plant, secondary branches/plant, pods/plant, seeds/
pod and seed yield/plant; and positive and significant mid
parent heterosis for test weight only. The genotypes, SAKI
9516, ICC 101 and ICC 111, were considered as more diverse
as they grouped into different clusters due to minimum
genetic similarity. Thus, genetic distance estimated based
on the RAPDs may be useful for grouping diverse parents
resulting into heterotic combination for seed yield and its
contributing traits in chickpea.
Key words: Chickpea, Heterosis, Molecular diversity
Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is the third most
important food legume after dry bean and pea) and a strictly
self-pollinated crop. Therefore, the approaches of varietal
improvement being followed in self pollinated crops apply
to chickpea as well.Commercial exploitation of heterosis in
autogamous crop like chickpea is not feasible due to the
absence of stable male sterility and low recovery of crossed
seed per crosses due to cleistogamous nature of their
flowers.The information on nature and magnitude of
heterosis is useful while selecting a cross for further
evaluation and selection.
Information on the degree and distribution of genetic
diversity and relationships among breeding materials has a
significant effect on crop improvement. Selection of suitable
parents is one of the most important criteria used to allocate
resources to the most promising crosses and increase the
efficiency of breeding programme. Molecular markers play
an important role in crop improvement programme as they
have been used extensively to estimate genetic diversity
among parental lines. Molecular markers have several
advantages as compared with morphological markers
including high polymorphism and independence from
effects related to environmental condition and the
physiological stage of the plant. Therefore, the present
investigation was made to collect information on heterosis
for yield and its components and their relationship with
molecular diversity.
In the present investigation, fifteen chickpea crosses
and their eight parents namely, Vijay, SAKI9516, JAKI9218,
ICC4958, ICC85, ICC101, ICC111 and BCG79 were evaluated
in rabi season 2017-18 for estimating extent of heterosis
over both the mid parent as well as the better parent.Among
the parents,Vijay, SAKI9516 and JAKI9218 were medium
seeded andICC4958, ICC85, ICC101, ICC111 and BCG79 were
bold seeded.The data was recorded on 5 randomly selected
plants and their average value was computed for nine
quantitative traits viz., days to 50% flowering, days to
maturity, plant height (cm), number of primary branches,
number of secondary branches, number of pods per plant,
number of seeds per pod, 100 seed weight (g) and seed
yield per plant (g). Heterosis was calculated over mid parent
and better parent for seed yield and contributing traits.
Data on experiment of all entries was subjected to analysis
of variance for testing the significance of treatments.
Heterosis was calculated by standard procedure.
High quality genomic DNA was isolated from young
and fresh leaves (6-8 days old) of chickpea genotypes. The
protocol of Cetyl Trimethyl Ammonium Bromide (CTAB)
DNA extraction method given by Doyle and Doyle (1987)
was used with some modifications. Forty RAPD primers
(Eurofinsgenomics, India) were used for initial screening
of the eight genotypes of chickpea.The amplified products
generated from RAPD PCR reaction were resolved on
Agarose gel.Band size was determined by using software
Alpha Ease FC 4.0 with reference to 1kb DNA ladder
(Banglore Genei, India) for RAPD Primers. Data analysis
was performed using NTSYS-pc (Numerical Taxonomy
System, Version 2.02i, Rohlf, 1998). The SIMQUAL
programme was used to calculate the Jaccard’s coefficient.
Dendrogram was constructed using Un-weighted Paired
Group Method for Arithmetic Mean (UPGMA) based on
Jaccard’s similarity coefficient.
For individualseed yield per plant, the crosses, SAKI
9516 x ICC101(186.03 and 134.68), Vijay x ICC 111 (150.44
and 132.07), Vijay x BCG 79 (142.59 and 94.30), SAKI 9516 x
ICC 85(138.58 and 121.42),SAKI 9516 x ICC111(122.25 and
111.87),SAKI 9516 x BCG 79 (96.96 and 50.54),Vijay x ICC
101 (78.58 and 54.32) andVijay x ICC 4958 (58.48 and 38.18)
exhibitedhighest significantpositive mid parent and better
parent heterosis (Table 1a and 1b).In chickpea, number of
primary branches per plant,number of secondary branches
per plant and number of pods per plant play an important
 Thorat et al. : Heterosis in relation to molecular diversity in chickpea 265

Table 1a. Estimates of heterosis over mid parent (MP) and better parent (BP) for yield and its traits in Chickpea
Days to 50% Primary branches Secondary branches Pods per plant
Sr. Days to maturity
Cross flowering per plant per plant
No.
MP BP MP BP MP BP MP BP MP BP
1 Vijay x ICC4958 5.03** -1.05 0.93 -2.26 61.70** 52.00** 74.43** 46.96** 10.38 9.81
2 Vijay x ICC85 4.44* -1.05 -10.30** -14.69** 17.39* 8.00 61.72** 35.36** -5.24 -16.34
3 Vijay x ICC101 -1.66 -6.32** -1.14 -2.26 49.71** 28.00** 115.08** 49.72** 28.44 -10.01
4 Vijay x ICC111 12.94** 1.05 -0.93 -3.62* 89.47** 44.00** 101.53** 45.86** 148.34** 94.52**
5 Vijay x BCG79 -24.69** -35.79** 1.40 -1.36 0.00 -4.00 101.53** 45.30** 90.76** 30.59*
6 SAKI9516 x ICC4958 16.96** 14.94** 5.54** 5.29** 43.40** 22.58** 95.22** 69.23** -5.73 -10.83
7 SAKI9516 x ICC85 12.79** 11.49** -6.40** -13.47** -5.77 -20.97** 65.81** 42.75** 65.37** 38.56**
8 SAKI9516 x ICC101 9.83** 9.20** 5.66** 3.70* 31.28** 3.23 73.33** 23.08** 149.11** 68.67**
9 SAKI9516 x ICC111 18.52** 10.34** 5.04** 4.78** 77.27** 25.81** 48.80** 10.06 94.78** 46.08**
10 SAKI9516 x BCG79 28.57** 13.79** 6.95** 6.70** 25.93** 9.68 75.90** 29.59** 145.63** 62.83**
11 JAKI9218 x ICC4958 4.14* 3.53 -2.23 -4.83** 29.41** 13.79 16.60 16.13 5.80 4.17
12 JAKI9218 x ICC85 -4.71 -4.71* -7.94** -17.14** 16.00* 0.00 33.88** 33.33** 23.45* 7.07
13 JAKI9218 x ICC101 2.92 2.33 -2.91* -7.41** -1.60 -20.69** 59.79** 26.02* 34.99* -6.52
14 JAKI9218 x ICC111 8.75** 2.35 -2.72 -5.74** 23.81** -10.34 28.43** 6.50 34.74** 3.99
15 JAKI9218 x BCG79 -19.74** -28.24** -0.74 -3.83* 11.54 0.00 32.02** 8.94 2.61 -30.53*

Table 1b. Estimates of heterosis over mid parent (MP) and better parent (BP) for yield and its traits in Chickpea
Sr. Seeds per pod Plant height (cm) 100 seed weight (g) Seed yield/plant (g)
Cross
No. MP BP MP BP MP BP MP BP
1 Vijay x ICC4958 -16.04** -19.66** -7.18** -18.29** -13.16** -33.51** 58.48** 38.18*
2 Vijay x ICC85 -4.91** -6.55** -2.65 -16.85** -10.40* -28.81** 23.16 21.49
3 Vijay x ICC101 -1.57* -13.79** 11.71** 6.56** -11.65** -33.92** 78.58** 54.32**
4 Vijay x ICC111 -2.49** -12.07** -2.12 -16.33** -9.32* -32.97** 150.44** 132.07**
5 Vijay x BCG79 -2.34** -6.55** 19.76** 12.03** -16.78** -34.73** 142.59** 94.30**
6 SAKI9516 x ICC4958 -3.99** -7.67** -6.80** -9.34** -12.99** -26.51** 67.26** 38.38*
7 SAKI9516 x ICC85 7.23** 5.92** 6.17** -0.18 -8.12 -18.96** 138.58** 121.42**
8 SAKI9516 x ICC101 33.47** 17.42** 2.10 -3.70* 17.43** -32.16** 186.03** 134.68**
9 SAKI9516 x ICC111 -6.54** -15.33** -4.73** -10.34** 22.21** -36.97** 122.25** 118.87**
10 SAKI9516 x BCG79 1.09 -2.79** 5.88** 1.85 -11.44** -23.05** 96.96** 50.64**
11 JAKI9218 x ICC4958 14.65** 11.39** -10.28** -11.39** -6.67 -12.38** 45.43** 7.59
12 JAKI9218 x ICC85 14.80** 14.59** 1.58 -0.72 -15.73** -16.87** 36.94** 11.41
13 JAKI9218 x ICC101 15.03** 2.14** -9.58** -17.84** 8.29* -1.51 35.05** -0.77
14 JAKI9218 x ICC111 24.12** 13.52** -21.71** -23.41** -2.91 -13.09** 8.26 -4.98
15 JAKI9218 x BCG79 5.86** 2.85** -11.27** -17.84** -1.63 -4.61 12.75 -21.75*

role in manifestation of seed yield. For these traits, SAKI
9516 x ICC101, Vijay x ICC 111, SAKI 9516 x ICC111 and
SAKI 9516 x BCG 79 also had highest significant positive
mid parent andbetter parent heterosis. These four crosses
also exhibited significant positive mid parent andbetter
parent heterosis for seed yield per plant. For number of
seeds per pods, seven out of fifteen crossesviz.,SAKI9516
x ICC101,JAKI9218 x ICC111, JAKI9218 x ICC101,JAKI9218
x ICC85,JAKI9218 x ICC4958,SAKI9516 x ICC85 and
JAKI9218 x BCG79exhibited significant positive mid parent
and better parent heterosis. The crosses, SAKI9516 x
ICC101,SAKI9516 x ICC111and JAKI9218 x ICC101 had
significant positive mid parent heterosis for test weight.The
results were in agreement with earlier reports of and Baksh
et al. (2007) for seed yield, number of primary branches per
plant, number of secondary branches per plant, number of
pods per plant and harvest index; Chauhan et al. (2013) for
seed yield, number of primary branches and 100 seed
weight; Gadekar and Dodiya (2013) for seed yield and
number of pods per plant; Rathod et al. (2018) and Sasane
et al. (2018) for seed yield.
Among the highest seed yielding crosses, Vijay x
BCG 79 showed significant mid parent and better parent
heterosis for days to 50% flowering and days to maturity in
desirable direction.Similar results were earlier for days to
50 per cent flowering and days to maturity reported by
Gadekar and Dodiya (2013) and Amadabade et al. (2015).
Grouping of parental lines with diversity analysis
using both morphological as well as molecular markers are
the importamt aspects of the study. Among a large category
of molecular markers RAPD is useful for assessment of
genetic diversity (Williamset al.1990). A total 35 RAPD
primers of two series viz., RPI and OPA were employed to
determine the polymorphism within the eight parental
lines.Most of the primers exhibited highest polymorphism
(100%). Besides that the primers, RPI-3, RPI-4, RPI-5,
RPI-7, RPI-9, RPI-12, RPI-18, RPI-21 and OPA-3 revealed
polymorphism between 80-90 per cent, while the lowest
magnitude of polymorphism showed by RPI-22 (28.57%).
(Fig.1 and Fig.2)
266 Journal of Food Legumes 32(4), 2019

Fig.1: Amplification of eight chickpea accessions with primer Fig. 2: Amplification of eight chickpea accessions with primer
RPI-12 OPA-3.

Table 2: Similarity matrix of parental lines of chickpea based on NTSYS-pc coefficient values obtained from RAPD marker
data.
Parents Vijay SAKI9516 JAKI9218 ICC4958 ICC85 ICC101 ICC111 BCG 79
Vijay 1.00
Saki9516 0.78 1.00
Jaki9218 0.71 0.70 1.00
ICC4958 0.59 0.60 0.64 1.00
ICC85 0.45 0.42 0.47 0.61 1.00
ICC101 0.40 0.33 0.39 0.50 0.64 1.00
ICC111 0.45 0.45 0.43 0.47 0.50 0.66 1.00
0.78 0.45 0.43 0.43 0.50 0.56 0.66 0.78 1.00

cluster A and cluster B having the similarity coefficient

Fig.3: Dendrogram for parental lines of chickpea based on NTSYS-
pc UPGMA clustering method with genetic similarity from
genomic DNA of RAPD
Jaccard’s pair wise similarity and dissimilarity
coefficient values generated by using data of 35 RAPD
primers for eight chickpea parental lines are presented in
Table 2. The genetic similarity ranged from 0.33 to 0.78. The
highest similarity (0.78) was observed between, Vijay and
SAKI9516 and ICC111 and BCG79. While the lowest
similaritywas (0.33) exhibited between, SAKI9516 and
ICC101 (Table 2).Varied range of genetic similarity in
chickpea was also earlier reported by Mohammad et al.
(2011).
Dendrogram generated by UPGMA clustering pattern
of eight genotypes using pooled data of RAPD markers
ranges the similarity coefficient from 0.45 to 0.79(Fig. 3).
The dendrogram clearly revealed two clusters named as
0.45. Both the clusters consisted same number of
genotypes. Cluster A was further sub divided into two sub
clusters A1 and A2 having similarity coefficient 0.61. Sub
cluster A1 had three genotypes viz., Vijay, SAKI9516 and
JAKI9218. Genotype, Vijay and SAKI9516 followed by Vijay
and JAKI9218 and JAKI9218 and SAKI9516 showed
highest (0.78, 0.71 and 0.70) similarity coefficient,
respectively. The genotype, ICC4958 emerged out of from
A1 group due to slight diversity among genotypes hence
sub clustered as A2. ICC4958 exhibited 0.59, 0.60 and 0.64
similarity coefficients with Vijay, SAKI9516 and JAKI9218,
respectively. Another group, B consisted remaining four
genotypes and sub clustered into two as B1 and B2. The
subgroup B1 showed only one genotype i.e. ICC85 which
had 0.64, 0.56 and 0.50 similarity coefficient with ICC101,
BCG79 and ICC111, respectively. The sub cluster B2 had
three genotypes, namely ICC101, ICC111 and BCG79.
Among these three genotypes ICC111 and BCG79 had
highest (0.78) similarity coefficient, whereas ICC101 and
ICC111 and BCG79 and ICC111 had same (0.66) similarity
coefficient.Similar results were obtained by Kaur et al. (2013)
and Bhagyawant et al. (2014).
Among the high seed yielding crosses, SAKI 9516 x
ICC101 and SAKI 9516 x ICC 111 had positive and significant
mid parent and better parent heterosis for number of primary
branches/plant, secondary branches/plant, pods/plant and
 Thorat et al. : Heterosis in relation to molecular diversity in chickpea
seeds/pod; and positive and significant mid parent heterosis
for test weight only. The genotypes, SAKI 9516, ICC 101
and ICC 111 were considered as more diverse as they
grouped in different cluster and had minimum genetic
similarity. Thus, genetic distance estimated based on the
RAPDs may be useful for grouping diverse parents,
resulting into heterotic combination for seed yield and its
contributing traits in chickpea.
REFERENCES
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relation to gene action in chickpea.Trends in Biosciences 8(12):
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heritability studies for superior segregants selection in chickpea.
Pakistan Journal of Botany 39(7): 2443-2449.
Bhagyawant SS, Singh PK, Sharma H and Srivastava N. 2014. Analysis
of genetic diversity among wild and cultivated chickpea genotypes
employing ISSR and RAPD markers. American Journal of Plant
Sciences 5: 676-682.
Chauhan VS, Dodiya NS and Parihar AK. 2013.Heterosis, combining
ability and inbreeding depression in chickpea (Cicer arietinum
L.). Journal of food legumes 26(1&2): 34-38.
Doyle JJ and Doyle JL. 1990. Isolation of plant DNA from fresh
tissue.Focus 12: 13-15.
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Gadekar MS and Dodiya NS. 2013. Heterosis and combining ability
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Jaccard P. 1908. Nouvelle recherchessur La distribution florale.Bull.
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Kaur S, Kaur S, Gupta AK and Kaur N. 2013.Genetic diversity in
chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Cultivars using RAPD Markers.
Indian Journal Agricultural Biochemistry 26(1): 10-17.
Mahmood Z, Athar M, Khan MA, Muhammad A, Shahzadi and
Dasti AA. 2011. Analysis of genetic diversity in chickpea (Cicer
arietinum L.) cultivars using random amplified polymorphic
DNA (RAPD) markers. African Journal of Biotechnology 10(2):
140-145.
Rathod VB, Sarode SB and Kamble SS. 2018. Heterosis analysis in
chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). International Journal of Current
Microbiology and Applied Science 6: 2138-2143.
Rohlf FJ. 1998. NTSYS-PC: Numerical taxonomy and multivariate
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Sasane PR, Thorat AW, Meshram MP, Rajane AR and Patil AN.
2018. Heterosis for seed yield and yield contributing characters
of Kabuli x Kabuli crosses of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.).
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Journal of Food Legumes 32(4): 268-271, 2019
Short Communication
Effect of diverse sowing methods on organic mungbean production in Bundelkhand
region of India
NEETIRAJ KAROTIYA and B GANGWAR
Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Bundelkhand University, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh; E-mail: karotiyaneetiraj@gmail.com
(Received : July 5, 2019; Accepted : October 6, 2019)
ABSTRACT
A field experiment was conducted at organic research farm,
Karguwa Ji, Bundelkhand University, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh,
India during rainy season of 2017 to study the effect of sowing
methods using different land configurations on productivity
and profitability of organic mungbean. The experiment
comprised of seven land configuration treatments viz.
T0- flat bed (conventional), T1-sowing on Broad beds (SBB),
T2- sowing on narrow beds (SNB), T3-sowing on ridges (SOR),
T4-sowing on side of ridges (SSR), T5-sowing on broad beds
+ sesbania in furrows (SBB + F) and T6- sowing on narrow
beds + sesbania in furrows (SNB + F). It was laid-out in
loamy soil in randomized block design with three replications.
The results indicated that different land configurations
influenced yield attributes, yields and economic parameters
significantly. Among the land configurations used for sowing
of mungbean (3 rows with diverse land configurations, the
plots with) broad beds + sesbania in furrows (T 5) had
maximum number of pods plant-1 (54.7) and pod yield (26.3 q
ha -1). Sowing of mungbean on broad beds + sesbania in
furrows and incorporation after 30 days (T5) also resulted in
maximum seed yield (14.3 q ha-1), husk (7.6 q ha-1), stover
(37.3 q ha-1) and biological yield (63.5 q ha-1). Higher gross
return (INR 1,28,922 ha-1), net monetary return (INR 1, 07,
446 ha-1), B:C ratio (5.0), and overall profitability (INR 1279/
day/ha) were obtained when mungbean was sown on broad
beds + Sesbania in furrows (T5).
Key words: Grain yield, Land configuration, Organic mungbean,
Profitability, Sowing method
Mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilezok) is an important
crop in India as well as in South East Asia. In India, it is
being cultivated on 3.41 mha area and its production is 2.16
mt, with an average productivity of 474 kg ha-1 (DES 2017).
Bundelkhand region in central plains of India comprises of
13 districts covering a total area of 7.08 m ha, out of which
six districts with 4.12 m ha area are in Madhya Pradesh and
seven districts with 2.94 m ha area are in Uttar Pradesh.
These districts lag behind in terms of productivity but holds
tremendous potential in terms of area expansion and
productivity improvement specially for pulses. Rainfed
agriculture is the main livelihood occupation of the farmers
in this region. Pulses contribute 32.4% to the food grain
production of Bundelkhand under normal rainfall years.
However, in drought years, contribution of pulses to the
food grain output increases substantially as farmers allocate
more area to plant pulses as a contingency plan. Vast area
under pulses and prevalent agro-climatic conditions offer
scope to turn this region into a pulse bowl of India. So far
Bundelkhand remained a low productivity zone compared
to other parts of UP and MP. Even within the region, district-
wise yield disparities for these crops are three-to-six folds.
This is mainly because majority of the farmers still continue
to grow local/obsolete varieties without much inputs and
management as they are either unaware of improved
technologies or have no/limited access to quality seeds
and with limited critical inputs. Selection of proper method
of sowing by maintaining plant population to an optimum
level, plays an important role in the growth and development
of a crop by affecting plant density and, in turn, moisture,
nutrient and space availability (Panwar and Sharma 2004).
The raised-beds and broad beds for the production of field
crops were started in heavy clay soils in Australia during
1970s. Research has shown that it is now possible to extend
this method of establishing crops to other crops like
mungbean (Ram et al. 2012). The raised-bed planting
systems have a number of advantages like better irrigation
management, increased availability of nutrients to crop
roots, better crop establishment, better weed management
through inter-raised-bed cultivation and less soil
compaction (Aggarwal et al. 2000). A change from growing
crops on the flat to raised-beds offers more effective control
of irrigation water and drainage thereby reducing aeration
stress and increasing yield. Therefore, there is an imminent
need to boost up the mungbean production in different
states through improvement in crop establishment methods
and management options. Change over from growing crops
in flat to ridge, broad bed furrow, narrow bed individually
or with the inter cropping of green manure cropping system
of planting crops on raised bed alters the crop geometry
and land configuration, offers more effective control over
irrigation and drainage as well as their impacts on transport
and transformations of nutrients, and rainwater management
during the monsoon season. In broad bed furrow (BBF)
system, water moves horizontally from the furrows into the
beds and is pulled upwards in the bed towards the soil
surface by capillarity, evaporation and transpiration, and
downwards largely by gravity. In determining the
dimensions of the beds, factors such as spacing between
tractor tyres, soil types, rainfall and groundwater conditions,
salinity and irrigation water quality and requirements of
 Karotiya & Gangwar : Effect of sowing methods using land configurations on productivity and profitability
crops grown in rotation are of prime importance. The
organic farming is considered to be a way forward for
production of pulses especially for areas like Bundelkhand.
Not only, yield of such crops can be sustained but the soil
health and nutritive value of grain will also improve. As
such, very high yield of mungbean is expected in
Bundelkhand under organic management with assured
irrigation facilities but no research efforts so far. Hence,
this experiment was conducted to study the effect of sowing
methods using different land configurations on
productivity and profitability of organic mungbean.
The field experiment was laid out at Organic Research
Farm, Karguwa Ji, Bundelkhand University, Jhansi, Uttar
Pradesh, India during kharif season of 2017. This farm is
situated behind the Bundelkhand University in foot hills of
Kamashin Mata Temple, Jhansi is situated at 250 27’ N
latitude and 780 37' E longitude. The altitude level of BU,
Jhansi plains is 271 m above mean sea level. Experimental
site is characterized by semi-arid and sub-tropical climate.
Total rainfall received during the experiment is 368.2 mm
with total 11 rainy days, while maximum and minimum
temperature was 34.8 0C and 31.8 0C respectively. Soil of the
experimental field was sandy loam in texture, high in organic
carbon and low in available nitrogen and phosphorous,
medium in potassium and alkaline (pH 8.3) in reaction. The
treatments comprised of seven land configurations viz.
T0-flat bed (conventional), T1-sowing on broad beds (SBB),
T2-sowing on narrow beds (SNB), T3- sowing on ridges
(SOR), T4- sowing on side of ridges (SSR), T5- sowing on
broad beds (SBB)+ sesbania in furrow and T6- sowing on
narrow beds (SNB)+sesbania in furrow. The trial was laid-
out in RBD design with three replications. The seed of
mungbean ‘K-851’ was sown at 20 kg ha-1. In T0 sowing
was done at the spacing of 30 x 10 cm. In broad bed system
of planting (T1 & T5) broad beds of 105 cm width were
prepared manually for experimental purpose (which can be
made by Tractor too) and three rows of mungbean were
accommodated by maintaining spacing of 30x10 cm with a
furrow of “V shaped” having 30 cm top width. In narrow
bed system of planting, narrow beds of 40 cm width were
prepared and two rows of mungbean were accommodated
maintaining, spacing of 30 x 10 cm (T2 & T6) and a furrow of
20 cm width while in planting on ridges the V shaped ridges
at 30 cm distance were prepared and sowing was done by
maintaining spacing 30x10 cm. In treatment T 5 & T6,
sesbania was sown and incorporated after 30 DAS after
sowing to enrich the soil for practicing organic farming.
Well rotten farm yard manure at 40 qha-1was applied in all
treatment plots through incorporation on the basis of
nitrogen requirement at the time of sowing. One interculture
operation after 25 DAS and timely plant protection measures
were adopted using organic or bio-pesticides (Viz. Marine
grasses extract). Harvesting of mungbean was done on
maturity. It was done by manual labors with the help of
hand sickles. Harvested plants from sample row of each
269
plot were taken for various studies. Various observations
on the yield attributes and yields were recorded as per the
standard protocol under which three labeled plants in each
plot were cut down from ground level and shifted to field
laboratory for taking observations on yield attributes. The
cost of cultivation was worked out by taking all the expenses
incurred into consideration. Gross income was worked out
by multiplying grain and straw yield of the crop with their
prevailing market prices. The cost of field preparation,
manures, seed and sowing, plant protection etc. were also
calculated based on prevailing market prices with the help
of standard formula. The analysis of data was made as
suggested by Katyal and Gangwar (2011).
The observations on different yield attributes and
yield of mungbean indicated that different land
configurations of sowing have influenced these parameters
significantly (Table 1). However, effect of land
configurations did not affect seed index (100 seed weight)
and harvest index significantly. Among the land
configurations of sowing, broad beds + sesbania (T 5)
resulted in maximum number of pods plant-1 (54.7) and pod
yield (26.3 q ha-1) while sowing on sides of ridges (T4)
yielded lesser number of pods plant-1 (38.0) and pod yield
(19.0 q ha-1). Increase in yield attributes and yield of
mungbean when sown on broad-bed and furrow system of
planting might be due the optimum growth and development
of the plants owing to the optimum availability of resources
like water, nutrient and solar radiation that led to the proper
translocation and assimilation of food to the sink of the
plants (Ram et al. 2018). Improvement in yield parameters
due to the modified system of planting under raised and
broad bed was also reported better than conventional by
Kantwa et al. (2006) and Malik et al. (2006). Akinyemi et al.
(2003) also reported similar results where they found that
ridge tillage system gives highest output in terms of the
yield attributes.
Among the land configurations used for sowing of
mungbean on broad beds + Sesbania (T 5) resulted in
maximum seed (14.3 qha-1), husk (7.6 qha-1), stover yield
(37.3 qha-1) and biological yield (63.5 qha-1). However,
sowing on sides of ridges (T4) gave lesser seed, husk, stover
and biological yield. The increase in the grain yield with
raised bed sowing could be due to improvement in growth
attributes by proper physiological processes and build up
of food material. Significantly higher seed yield of summer
were mungbean under raised bed than flat bed sowing
method also reported by Ram et al. (2001), Singh et al.
(2011b), Rajput et al. (2009) and Singh et al. (2010).
Economic parameters of mungbean cultivation under
different. The land configurations was analyzed. The
influence of varied land configurations significant effect
on cost of cultivation, gross monetary return, B:C ratio and
overall profitability (Table 3). Among the land
configurations, sowing on broads beds (T 1) incurred
270 Journal of Food Legumes 32(4), 2019

Table 1. Effect of sowing methods on yield attributes and yields of rainy season mungbean under organic management
Treatments Pods Plant-1 Pod yield 100 seed Seed yield Husk yield Stover yield Biological yield HI
(Nos.) (q ha-1) weight (g) (q ha-1) (q ha-1) (q ha-1) (q ha-1) (%)
T0-Flat bed (conventional) 48.0 20.6 4.8 11.8 8.9 23.2 43.9 26.8
T1-Sowing on broad beds (SBB) 48.3 21.0 4.7 13.6 7.6 34.1 55.3 24.6
T2 - Sowing on narrow beds 48.0 19.6 4.8 11.9 7.6 33.5 53.0 22.5
(SNB)
T3 - Sowing on ridges (SOR) 54.3 21.3 4.7 13.0 8.9 30.8 52.7 24.9
T4 - Sowing on side of ridges 38.0 19.0 4.8 11.0 7.9 34.4 53.2 20.6
(SSR)
T5 - Sowing on broad beds 54.7 26.3 4.7 14.3 11.9 37.3 63.5 22.5
+Sesbania (SBB+S)
T6 - Sowing on narrow beds 47.7 20.0 4.6 12.0 8.1 26.2 46.3 26.6
+Sesbania (SNB+S)
C.D. (0.05) 8.3 2.6 NS 2.1 1.8 8.2 8.3 NS

Table 2. Effect of sowing methods on cost of cultivation, gross returns, net returns, B:C ratio and profitability of rainy
season mungbean under organic management
Treatment/Treatments formulation Cost of cultivation Gross returns Net returns B:C Profitability
(q ha-1) (q ha-1) (q ha-1) Ratio (q day-1ha-1)
T0 - Flat bed 19726 97885 78159 3.96 930.46
T1 - Sowing on broad beds 21476 117520 96044 4.47 1143.38
T2 - Sowing on narrow beds 20976 107442 86466 4.12 1029.35
T3 - Sowing on ridges 20976 112175 91199 4.37 1085.70
T4 - Sowing on side of ridges 20976 103625 82649 3.94 983.91
T5 - Sowing on broad beds + Sesbania 21476 128922 107446 5.00 1279.01
T6 - Sowing on narrow beds + Sesbania 20976 101200 80224 3.82 955.04

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Journal of Food Legumes 32(4): 272-276, 2019
Short Communication
Biochemical screening of chickpea genotypes against gram pod borer
MA DINDOR and BINDU PANICKAR
Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar Gujarat; E-mail: bindu.ento @ gmail.com
(Received : April 2, 2019; Accepted : September 7, 2019)
ABSTRACT
A field experiment was conducted to screen 14 chickpea
genotypes against gram pod borer by biochemical parameters
during Rabi 2017-18 and 2018-19. It revealed that the
minimum and maximum mean larval population of
Helicoverpa armigera were 0.58 and 2.32 in GJG 3 and ICCV
13111 variety/genotype, respectively. Percent pod damage was
also significantly lower (11.21% ) in GJG 3 and higher
(30.76%) in ICCV 13111. It was also depicted in significantly
higher (1588 kg/ha) grain yield in the former and lower (845
kg/ha) in the latter. None of the varieties/genotypes were
found highly resistant to H. armigera. However, varieties/
genotypes viz., GJG 3, Dahod yellow, GG 1, RJG 0904 and JG
16 were resistant, whereas GAG 1107, GJG 0919, RSG 888
and ICCV 13111 were categorized under susceptible group.
The content of different biochemical in chickpea plants viz.,
phenol, flavanoid and tannin had negative correlation with
larval population of H. armigera, while other biochemical
parameters viz., total soluble sugar and protein in chickpea
were positively correlated with the latter.
Key words: Biochemical parameters, Chickpea, Helicoverpa
armigera, Varietal screening
Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), also known as Bengal
gram, is one of the most important pulse crops of India and
is considered as “King of’ pulses” (Bhatt and Patel, 2001).
Chickpea is an important source of carbohydrates, dietary
fiber and protein, and the protein quality is considered to
be better than other pulses (Jukanti et al. 2012). Nearly
sixty insect pest species feed on chickpea worldwide, of
which gram pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) is
the major insect pests in the Indian subcontinent. Gram
pod borer, H. armigera is a polyphagous, multivoltine and
cosmopolitan pest and is reported to feed and breed on 182
species of hos t plants belonging to 47 families in India
(Sithanantham, 1987; Pawar, 1998). The yield loss in
chickpea due to the pod borer has been estimated to be 10
to 60% under normal weather conditions and may elevate
to 50 to 100% in favourable weather conditions
(Vaishmpayam and Veda 1980). Biochemical traits such as
malic acid, phenolic compounds, cellulose, hemicelluloses,
lignin, free amino acids, etc. of crops have been identified
that could be responsible for resistance to insect pests
(Yoshida et al. 1995 and Grija et al. 2008). Identification and
detailed knowledge of insect pest resistance traits of
chickpea are of immense importance for developing
resistant varieties. In present paper results on varietal
screening conducted under field conditions in fourteen
genotypes has been reported.
The field experiment was carried out at Agronomy
Instructional Farm, SDAU, Sardarkrushinagar during Rabi
2017-18 and 2018-19. Fourteen genotypes of chickpea were
screened against the gram pod borer under field conditions
by using various biochemical parameters viz., total protein,
total soluble sugars, phenols, tannin and flavanoid. The
experiment was laid in randomized block design with 3
replications with plot size of 4.0 x 2.25m at a spacing 45 x 10
cm. Observation on H. armigera larvae were recorded from
five randomly selected plants at weekly interval from each
genotypes/ varieties percent pod borer damage was
recorded at harvesting stage of the crop. The per cent pod
damage was calculated by using the formula.
Number of damaged pods
Pod damage (%) = × 100
Total number of pods
The chickpea yield was recorded from each plot
during harvesting stage and converted to kg/ha. The
categories of resistance of different screened varieties/
genotypes were categorized as per formula given by Patel
et al. (2002)
Category Scale
Highly Resistant (HR) x̅i < (x̅ - 2 S. D.)
Resistant ( R) x̅i ˃ (x̅ - S. D.) ≤ (x̅ -2 S. D.)
Moderately Resistant (MS) x̅ i ˃ (x̅ - S. D.) ≤ x̅
Moderately Susceptible (HS) x̅ i ˃ x̅ ≤ (x̅ + S. D.)
Susceptible (S) x̅ i > (X + S. D.) ≤ (x̅ + 2 S. D.)
Highly Susceptible (HS) x̅ i > (X + 2 S. D.)
Where, X = General Mean
S.D = Standard Deviation
XI = Mean value of individual varieties
Estimation of different biochemical parameters
The protein content from the chickpea was estimated
by using Micro - Kjeldhal method (Jackson 1953). TSS
content was estimated by following the procedure adopted
by Dubois et al. (1956). The phenol content was determined
following the procedure of Folin-Ciocalteau method (Bray
and Thorpe, 1954). Tannin content was determined by the
procedure of A.O.A.C (1956). The flavonoid content in
chickpea pod was estimated by following the procedure of
Amerine and Ough (1980).
 Dindor & Panickar: Biochemical screening of chickpea varieties against gram pod borer 273

Table 1. Susceptibility of varieties/genotypes of chickpea against H. armigera

Mean larval population/5 plants
Sr. No. Genotypes / cultivars
2017-18 2018-19 Pooled
1 Dahod yellow 1.09(0.69)* 1.07(0.64) 1.08(0.67)
2 GG 1 1.10 (0.71) 1.09(0.69) 1.10(0.71)
3 GG 5 1.36 (1.35) 1.36(1.35) 1.36(1.35)
4 GJG 3 1.04 (0.58) 1.04(0.58) 1.04(0.58)
5 GJG 6 1.35(1.32) 1.35(1.32) 1.35(1.32)
6 GJG 0919 1.58(1.99) 1.50(1.75) 1.54(1.87)
7 GJG 0814 1.37(1.38) 1.49(1.72) 1.43(1.54)
8 JG 11 1.37(1.38) 1.36(1.35) 1.37(1.38)
9 JG 16 1.16(0.84) 1.23(1.01) 1.20(0.94)
10 AGBL 0146 1.57(1.96) 1.53(1.84) 1.55(1.91)
11 GAG 1107 1.63(2.16) 1.63(2.15) 1.63(2.16)
12 RJG0904 1.12(0.75) 1.21(0.96) 1.16(0.85)
13 RSG 888 1.59(2.02) 1.55(1.90) 1.57(1.96)
14 ICCV 13111 1.67(2.29) 1.68(2.32) 1.68(2.32)
S.Em. ± 0.06 0.05 0.038
C.D. (0.05) 0.18 0.15 0.11
C.D. (0.05) for Y x T - - NS
C.V. (%) 7.87 6.60 7.26
*Figures inside parantheses are retransformed values of √ + 0.5 transformation.

Table 2. Percent pod damage of H. armigera in varieties/genotypes of chickpea

Pod damage (%) at harvest
S. No. Varieties/genotypes
2017-18 2018-19 Pooled
1 Dahod yellow 19.46(11.10)* 19.85(11.53) 19.65(11.31)
2 GG1 19.60(11.25) 19.94(11.63) 19.77(11.44)
3 GG 5 27.59(21.45) 25.54(18.59) 26.57(20.00)
4 GJG 3 19.42(11.05) 19.71(11.37) 19.56(11.21)
5 GJG 6 25.33(18.31) 25.65(18.73) 25.49(18.52)
6 GJG 0919 33.08(29.80) 31.24(26.90) 32.16(28.34)
7 GJG 0814 24.95(17.79) 23.39(18.39) 25.17(18.09)
8 JG 11 27.97(21.99) 26.12(19.39) 27.05(20.68)
9 JG 16 19.85(11.53) 20.36(12.11) 20.11(11.82)
10 AGBL 0146 28.37(22.57) 26.25(19.56) 27.31(21.04)
11 GAG 1107 33.23(30.03) 31.46(27.36) 32.34(28.04)
12 RJG 0904 19.71(11.37) 20.24(11.96) 19.97(11.67)
13 RSG 888 33.12(29.85) 31.20(26.84) 32.16(28.34)
14 ICCV 13111 34.62(32.27) 32.76(29.27) 33.69(30.76)
S.Em. ± 1.56 1.62 1.59
C.D. (0.05%) 4.53 4.71 2.94
Y×T - - NS
C.V. (%) 10.31 11.03 10.6

*Figures inside parentheses are retransformed values, while those outside parentheses √ + 0.5 transformed values.

Larval population of H. armigera: Two years pooled data
presented (Table 1) indicated that the superiority of the
variety GJG 3 which was at par with Dahod yellow (0.67),
GG 1 (0.71) which RGJ 0904 (0.85) and JG 16 (0.94). Second
effective group were the remaining varieties/genotypes
which were at par with each other.
Dinesh et al. (2017) reported lowest (19.73 and
23.33%) pod damage in Vijay followed by RSG-888 (20.46
and 27.67%). However, Vijay and RSG 888 were found with
the least susceptibility while GNG1581, Dahod yellow,
Samrat, BGM 547, RSG-963, RSG-564 and kabuli were
moderately susceptible.
Categorization of chickpea varieties/genotypes: Based
on percent pod damage none of the varieties/genotypes
(Table 3) were found highly resistant to H. armigera.
However, varieties/ genotypes viz. GJG 3 (11.21), Dahod
yellow (11.31), GG 1 (11.44), RJG 0904 (11.67), JG 16(11.82)
recorded less than 12.11 and were grouped under the
resistant category. GJG 0814 (18.09) and GJG 6 (18.52)
recorded less than 19.37 but more than 12.12 percent; and
there by categorized as moderately resistant group. GG 5
(20.00), JG 11 (20.68) and AGBL 0146 (21.04) recorded less
than 26.63 percent but more than 19.36. Hence it fell under
moderately susceptible (MS) categories. The susceptible(S)
genotypes were GAG 1107 (28.04), GJG 0919 (28.34), RSG
888 (28.34) and ICCV 13111 (30.76) which recorded less
than 33.89 percent pod damage but more than 19.37. None
of the varieties/genotypes were found highly susceptible
to H. armigera.
274 Journal of Food Legumes 32(4), 2019

Table 3 : Categorization of chickpea varieties/genotypes based on percent pod damage

Category of resistance Scale Varieties / genotypes
Based on pod damage (%) X= 19.37 S.D = 7.26
Highly Resistant (HR) <5 --
GJG 3 (11.21), Dahod yellow (11.31), GG 1 (11.44),
Resistant (R) 5.1 > Xi ≤ 12.11
RJG 0904 (11.67), JG 16 (11.82),
Moderately Resistant (MR) 12.12 > Xi ≤ 19.37 GJG 0814 (18.09), GJG 6 (18.52)
Moderately Susceptible (MS) 19.36 > Xi ≤ 26.63 GG 5 (20.00), JG 11 (20.68), ABGL 0146 (21.04),
GAG 1107 (28.04), GJG 0919 (28.34),
Susceptible (S) 19.37 > Xi ≤ 33.89
RSG 888 (28.34), ICCV 13111(30.76)
Highly Susceptible (HS) Xi > 33.89 --
X = Mean value of all varieties / genotypes
Xi= Mean value of individual varieties / genotypes

Table 4. Grain yield of different chickpea varieties/genotypes

Grain yield (kg/ha.)
Sr. No. Variety / genotypes
2017-18 2018-19 Pooled
1 Dahod yellow 1549 1570 1559
2 GG 1 1512 1540 1526
3 GG 5 973 995 984
4 GJG 3 1574 1602 1588
5 GJG 6 1254 1271 1262
6 GJG 0919 1214 1232 1223
7 GJG 0814 926 940 933
8 JG 11 1265 1276 1271
9 JG 16 965 988 976
10 AGBL 0146 1268 1290 1279
11 GAG 1107 954 975 964
12 RJG 0904 825 865 845
13 RSG 888 1497 1524 1511
14 ICCV 13111 947 956 951
SEM (±) 73.51 73.80 74.96
C.D. (0.05%) 212.96 213.80 133.99
Y×T - - NS

Grain yield: Significantly highest grain yield (1588 kg/ha)
(Table 4) was found in GJG 3 and it was at par with Dahod
yellow, GG 1 and RSG 888. These were followed by AGBL
0146, JG 11, GJG 6 and GJG 0919 which were at par with each
other. Rest of the treatments at other end of the series were
at par with each other.
Present findings are on grain yield also did not match
with (Reddy et al. 2018). The minimum grain yield of
chickpea was recorded in ICCV 97105 822.30 kg/ha and
maximum grain yield was obtained from ICCV 92944 1036
kg/ha. On the basis of the percent pod damage of genotypes
ICCV 09103. HC 1. NBeG 1004, GLW 48, GL 25016 and ICCV
92944 were found to be least preferred.
Protein content in seed: Protein content of different
chickpea genotypes varied from 19.43 to 21.22 µg/ml. The
results revealed that the lowest protein content was found
in genotypes GJG 3 (19.43 µg/ml). The highest protein
content was recorded in genotypes ICCV 13111 (21.22 µg/
ml) High protein indicating more preferred by H. armigera.
The correlation results showed that larval population due
to H. armigera in chickpea grain had highly significant
positive correlation with Protein (0.969**).
Total Phenol: Total phenol content in leaves of different
chickpea genotypes varied from 0.206 to 0.902 µg/ml. The
highest phenol content was found in genotype GJG 3 (0.902
µg/ml) whereas, lowest phenol content was recorded in
genotypes ICCV 13111 (0.206 µg/ml). The correlation
studies results showed that larval population due to H.
armigera significantly high negative correlation with phenol
(-0.964**) in chickpea leaves.
Total phenol content in pod of different chickpea
genotypes varied from 0.106 to 0.81µg/ml. The highest
phenol content was found in genotype GJG 3 (0.815µg/ml).
On the other hand, lowest phenol content was recorded in
genotypes ICCV 13111(0.106 µg/ml). Correlation studies
results showed that larval population due to H. armigera
in pod had highly significant negative correlation with
phenol (-0.794**).
Present findings were are differed from the studies of
Haralu et al. (2018) who reported that phenol content
showed negative significant correlation with pod borer
larval population during vegetative and (-0.669)
reproductive (-0.792) stages and also with their per cent
pod damage (-0.583) and also the higher content of phenol
 Dindor & Panickar: Biochemical screening of chickpea varieties against gram pod borer 275

Table 5. Biochemical parameters and their correlation with larval population of H. armigera in chickpea during 2018 -19
Sr. No. Treatments Mean Grain Leaves Pod
population Protein Phenol Tannin Total soluble Flavanoid Phenol Tannin Total soluble Flavanoid
of larvae (µg/ ml) (µg/ ml) (µg/ml) sugar (µg/ ml) (µg/ ml) (µg/ ml) sugar (µg/ ml)
(µg/ ml) (µg/ ml)
T1 Dahod yellow 0.64 19.47 0.801 0.536 0.311 0.417 0.811 0.952 0.315 0.169
T2 GG 1 0.69 19.47 0.797 0.473 0.343 0.350 0.351 0.952 0.346 0.155
T3 GG 5 1.35 20.10 0.416 0.219 0.399 0.288 0.210 0.860 0.409 0.103
T4 GJG 3 0.58 19.43 0.902 0.715 0.257 0.658 0.815 0.969 0.261 0.312
T5 GJG 6 1.32 19.70 0.446 0.268 0.395 0.331 0.240 0.893 0.403 0.104
T6 GJG 0919 1.75 20.37 0.318 0.173 0.485 0.152 0.156 0.808 0.485 0.063
T7 GJG 0814 1.72 20.34 0.334 0.189 0.482 0.182 0.178 0.818 0.482 0.069
T8 JG 11 1.35 20.23 0.395 0.221 0.474 0.186 0.183 0.843 0.474 0.103
T9 JG 16 1.01 19.61 0.704 0.369 0.382 0.391 0.218 0.893 0.384 0.128
T10 AGBL 0146 1.84 20.68 0.318 0.168 0.510 0.138 0.128 0.744 0.531 0.043
T11 GAG 1107 2.15 20.78 0.209 0.140 0.531 0.127 0.107 0.687 0.532 0.01
T12 RJG 0904 0.96 19.60 0.728 0.432 0.360 0.391 0.314 0.928 0.363 0.145
T13 RSG 888 1.96 20.70 0.304 0.142 0.531 0.129 0.108 0.694 0.531 0.015
T14 ICCV 13111 2.32 21.22 0.206 0.138 0.668 0.082 0.106 0.059 0.668 0.06
‘r’ with larval population 0.969** -0.964** -0.911** 0.957** -0.903** -0.794** -0.764* 0.960** -0.865**
in tolerant varieties might have contributed to defense soluble sugar content was found in genotypes ICCV 13111
mechanism of plant against insect pest. (0.668 µg/ml), However, lowest total soluble sugar content
Total Flavanoid: Flavanoid content in leaves varied from was recorded in genotypes GJG 3 (0.257 µg/ml). The
0.082 to 0.658 µg/ml in leaves of different chickpea varieties/ correlation results showed that larval population due to H.
genotypes. The highest flavanoid content was present in armigera in chickpea leaves had highly significant positive
GJG 3 (0.658 µg/ml) and lowest flavonoid was in other correlation with Total soluble sugar (0.957**).
genotypes ICCV 13111 (0.082 µg/ml). The correlation results Total soluble sugar content in pod of fourteen
showed high that larval population due to H. armigera chickpea genotypes varied from 0.261 to 0.668 µg/ml. the
leaves had significant negative correlation with Flavanoid results revealed that the highest total soluble sugar content
(-0.903**). was found in genotypes ICCV 13111 (0.668 µg/ml). However,
Flavanoid content in pod varied from 0.06 to 0.312 lowest total soluble sugar content was recorded in
µg/ml in pod of different chickpea genotypes. The highest genotypes GJG 3 (0.261 µg/ml), The correlation results
Flavanoid content was present in genotypes GJG 3 (0.312 showed that larval population due to H. armigera in pod
µg/ml) and lowest flavanoid content was ICCV 13111(0.06 had highly significant positive correlation with total soluble
µg/ml).The correlation results showed that larval population sugar (0.960**).
due to H. armigera in chickpea pod had highly significant Present result found differ from Tripathi et al. (2016)
negative correlation with Flavanoid (-0.865**). highest total soluble sugar was recorded NDG-8-202 (7.16%)
Tannin: Tannin content (leaves) in fourteen chickpea followed by CSJ -595 (6.92%) and Vishal (6.49 %).
genotypes varied from 0.138 to 0.715 µg/ml. lowest tannin
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Short communication
Effect of different media on growth and development of Fusarium udum and
Phytophthora drechsleri f.sp. cajani of Pigeonpea
DEEPAK KUMAR, MONIKA MISHRA1, SONIKA PANDEY1, JAGAT KUMAR1 , US RATHORE1 and
RK MISHRA1
Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India; 1ICAR-Indian Institute of Pulses Research,
Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India; E-mail: rajpathologist@yahoo.com
(Received : August 12, 2019; Accepted : October 8, 2019)
ABSTRACT
Different growth media, such as Potato Czapek's dextrose
agar, V-8 juice agar, Maltose agar, Corn meal agar, Potato
sucrose agar, Tomato juice agar, Czapek,s sucrose agar and
Carrot agar were evaluated against mycelial growth of
Fusarium udum and Phytophthora drechsleri f. sp. cajani (Pdc)
under in vitro condition. The maximum mycelial growth
(90.0 mm) of P. drechsleri f. sp. cajani was recorded on Potato
dextrose agar mediumat ± 28oC after seven days of incubation
followed by V-8 juice agar medium (89.8 mm). The growth
of F. udum was maximum (90.0 mm) on oat meal agar medium
followed by Czapek,s sucrose agar (89.5 mm). The lowest
mycelia growth of P. drechsleri f. sp. cajani (15.0 mm) and
F. udum (0.0 mm) were observed in corn meal agar medium.
Key words: Fusarium udum, Media, Phytophthora drechsleri
f. sp. cajani, Pigeonpea, Radial growth
Pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.], an important
grain legume crop, is predominantly cultivated in tropical
and subtropical regions of the world. India is the largest
producer as well as consumer of pigeonpea followed by
Myanmar, Malawi and Kenya (FAO 2016). In India,
pigeonpea is the second most important legume after
chickpea and the country alone contributes 63.4% of world
production with 62.6% of world cultivated area (FAO, 2016).
The crop is affected by many plant pathogens including
fungi, bacteria, viruses, phytoplasma and nematodes at
various stages of crop. (Reddy et al., 2012, Rathore et. al.,
2018). Among the biotic stresses, Fusariumwilt (Fusarium
udum) and Phytophthora stem blight (Phytophthora
drechsleri Tucker f. sp. cajani) are the most devastating
soil borne diseases of Pigeonpea Worldwide (Butler, 1910,
Nene et al., 1989, Kannaiyan et al., 1984). The effect of
these diseases on grain yield depends on the onset of the
disease in relation to crop growth and disease incidence,
both of which largely depend on weather conditions and
inoculum levels of the pathogen (Pande et al. 2011).Variation
in the type of carbon and nitrogen sources besides changes
in pH, temperature, incubation period, shaking and
inoculums size have great influence on the growth of
pathogen (Tyagi and Paudel, 2014, Dubey, 2016). Kannaiyan
(1980), found V-8 medium suitable for vegetative and
reproduction growth of P. drechslerif. sp. cajani. May and
Kimati (1997), observed the growth and sporulation of
P. parasitica (P. nicotianae var. parasitica) isolated from
citrus in the different media. The present work depicts to
understand the effect of different solid media on growth
and development of Phytophthora drechsleri f. sp.
cajaniand F. udum of pigeonpea.
Experiment was conducted during 2019-20 at ICAR-
IIPR, Kanpur under in vitro condition to find out the suitable
media for growth and Development of P.drechsleri f.sp.
cajani and Fusarium udumisolated from pigeonpea
infected plant. The growth characters of both the pathogen
were studied on different solid media viz., potato dextrose
agar, corn meal agar, carrot agar, Czapek’ssucrose agar,
maltose agar, tomato juice agar, potato sucrose agar, V8
juice agarand Oat meal agar were used. All the media were
sterilized at 1.1 kg cm-2 pressure for 15 min. To carry out the
study, 30 ml of each of the medium was poured in 90 mm
petriplates. Such petriplates were inoculated with 5 mm disc
cut from periphery of actively growing culture and incubated
at 26 ± 1°C. Each treatment was replicated thrice.
Observations were taken with respect of colony size at 2, 4,
5 and 7 days after inoculation. The mycelial color, margin of
the colony, topography, center of the colony was recorded
at seven days after inoculation. The data on radial growth
were analyzed statistically.
The cultural characters of P.drechsleri f.sp. cajani
and F. udum were studied on eight solid media as described
in material and methods. Observations on radial growth,
mycelial color,margin of thecolony, topography of P.
drechsleri f.sp. cajani and F. udum on different media were
recorded at 2, 5 and7 days after inoculation. The radial
growth and Data are presented in Table-1, 2 and Fig. 1, 2.
Morphological and cultural variation of P. drechsleri
f.sp. cajani: Observation on the growth of pathogen on
different solid media revealed that the maximum radial
growth (90.00 mm) was recorded in Potato dextrose agar,
followed by V8 juice agar (89.80 mm) and Czapek,s sucrose
agar (89.60 mm) after 7 days of incubation. Whereas, the
minimum radial growth was recorded on Corn meal agar
(15.20 mm) [Table 1 & Fig 1]. Irregular margin and aerial
mycelial growth with creamy to cottony white mat type
fluffy colonies was observed in all the media except Potato
278 Journal of Food Legumes 32(4), 2019

dextrose agar and corn meal agar. The morphological and

cultural variation in different solid media of Phytophthora
drechsleri f.sp. cajani are presented in Table 3. The findings
of present study are in agreement with several other
researchers (Meena et al. 2017, Singh et al. 2008, Mishra
et.al. 2016, Kumar et al. 2010).
Morphological and cultural variation of Fusarium udum:
Different media including synthetic and semi- synthetic in
solid form were tested on the growth and cultural
characteristics of Fusrium udum was significant. After 7th
day of incubation, the maximum mycelia growth (90.00 mm)
was recorded in oat meal agar medium followed by Whereas, Fig. 2: Growth of Fusarium udum on different solid media
Czapek,s sucrose agar (89.5 mm), tomato juice agar (80.60 Table 3. Morphological characteristics of Phytophthora-
mm) [(Table 3 & Fig 4]. Whereas, the minimum radial growth drechslerif. sp. cajani on different culture media
was recorded on potato sucrose agar (69.80 mm No mycelial Growth Media Colony diameter (mm)
growth was observed in Corn meal agar medium after 7 2nd days 5th days 7th days
days of inoculation. The results are in conformity with the Potato dextrose agar 32.2 78.9 90.0
V8 juice agar 30.4 66.8 89.8
earlier findings (Naik, 2010, Rahman, 2012, Khilare and
Maltose agar 24.1 61.3 75.4
Ahmed 2012). Creamy white to light pinkish colored colonies Corn meal agar 2.0 8.1 15.2
were observed in most the tested solid medium (Table 4). Potato sucrose agar 31.4 62.6 89.4
Tomato juice agar 39.6 78.8 88.9
Table1. Studies on growth of Phytophthora drechslerif.sp. Czapeks sucrose agar 29.8 79.7 89.6
cajanion different solid media Carrot agar 27.9 71.3 85.5
Growth Media Colony diameter (mm)
2nd days 5th days 7th days
Potato dextrose agar 32.2 78.9 90.0 Table 4. Morphological characteristics of Fusarium
V8 juice agar 30.4 66.8 89.8 udumon different culture media
Maltose agar 24.1 61.3 75.4
Corn meal agar 2.0 8.1 15.2 Media Mycelial Colour Margin Topography
Potato sucrose agar 31.4 62.6 89.4 Carrot agar Cottony white Rough Fluffy
Tomato juice agar 39.6 78.8 88.9 Czapek,s sucrose Cottony white Smooth Fluffy
Czapeks sucrose agar 29.8 79.7 89.6 agar
Carrot agar 27.9 71.3 85.5 Tomato juice agar Cottony white Rough Fluffy
Potato sucrose agar Cottony white Rough Fluffy
Potato dextrose agar Pinkish Rough Fluffy
Corn meal agar - - -
Oat meal agar Creamy white Smooth Fluffy
Maltose agar Light pink Smooth Slightly fluffy

Fig. 1: Colony diameter of Phytophthoradrechslerif.sp. cajani on

different solid media.

Table 2. Studies on growth of Fusarium udum on different

solid media
Growth Media Colony Diameter (mm)
2nd days 5th days 7th days
Carrot agar 23.3 56.9 70.5 Fig. 3: Effect of different culture media on growth of P. drechsleri
Czapek,s sucrose agar 28.6 74.1 89.5 f. sp. cajani.
Tomato juice agar 27.8 64.3 80.6 a) Maltose agar (e) Carrot agar
Potato sucrose agar 23.6 59.8 69.8 b) V8 juice agar (f) Potato sucrose agar
Potato dextrose agar 24.4 57.6 70.3 (c) Potato dextrose agar (g) Tomato juice agar
Corn meal agar 0.0 0.0 0.0 (d) Corn meal agar (h) Czapek ,s sucrose agar
Oat meal agar 30.9 73.8 90.0
Maltose agar 21.2 51.4 70.2
 Kumar et. al.,: Effect of different media on Fusarium udum and Phytophthora drechsleri 279

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affected castor (Ricinus communis L.) fields of Telangana state, disease. Plant Breed. 129: 135–141.
India. Volume 12, Techsear-3,12:610-616. Williams, F.J., Grewal, J.S., Amin, K.S. 1968. Serious and new diseases
Mishra, R.K., Naimuddin and Monika Mishra (2016). Pathogenic of pulse crops in India in 1966. Plant Disease Report 52: 300-304.
and cultural diversity of Phytophthora dreshleri f. sp. cajani
280 Journal of Food Legumes 32(4), 2019

List of Referees for Vol. 32(4)

The Editorial Board gratefully acknowledges the help rendered by following referees in reviewing manuscript for
Vol. 32(4): 2019

1. Guriqbal Singh, PAU, Ludhiayana

2. IP Singh, ICAR- IIPR, Kanpur
3. PS Basu, ICAR- IIPR, Kanpur
4. DK Agarwal, ICAR-IISS, Mau
5. CS Praharaj, ICAR- IIPR, Kanpur
6. CL Maurya, CSAUA&T, Kanpur
7. Amrit Lamichaney, ICAR- IIPR, Kanpur
8. Abhishek Bohra , ICAR- IIPR, Kanpur
9. Debjyoti Sen Gupta, ICAR- IIPR, Kanpur
10. Narendra Kumar, ICAR- IIPR, Kanpur
11. PK Katiyar, ICAR- IIPR, Kanpur
12. HS Kushwaha, MGGVV, Chitrkoot
13. Sujanand GK, ICAR- IIPR, Kanpur
14. Anup Chandra, ICAR- IIPR, Kanpur
13. Biochemical screening of chickpea varieties against gram pod borer 272
MA Dindor and Bindu Panickar
14. Effect of different media on growth and development of Fusarium udum and Phytophthora
drechsleri f.sp. cajani of Pigeonpea 277
Deepak Kumar, Monika Mishra, Sonika Pandey, Jagat Kumar, US Rathore and RK Mishra

List of Referees for Vol. 32(4) 280

 ISSN
0970-6380
Online ISSN
Journal of Food Legumes
I SPR D
0976-2434 1987

Volume 32 Number 4 October-December, 2019

Contents
RESEARCH PAPERS
1. Pollen fertility restoration studies in three CMS lines carrying Cajanus cajanifolius cytoplasm under four diverse
environments 211
Sawargaonkar SL, Saxena KB, Mehtre SP and Patil DK
2. Confirmation of jumping genes controlling pod colour in pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) 216
KB Saxena
3. Differential organ specific protein profiling in chickpea cultivars under water stress condition 221
Davinder Kaur, Satvir Kaur Grewal, Jagmeet Kaur and Sarvjeet Singh
4. Protein content of mungbean [Vigna radiate (L.) Wilczek] genotypes as influenced by salinity stress 227
Manoj Katiyar and R Kumar
5. Efficacy of various priming treatments on seed quality, germination enzymes and growth of
mungbean cultivars under normal and deficit moisture conditions 231
TN Tiwari, Shivam K Patel, DP Maurya and PK Katiyar
6. Effect of different weed management practices in urdbean (Vigna mungo L.) under high rainfall and acidic
soils of North East Indian hill condition 236
KS Shashidhar, Samuel Jeberson, N Premaradhya, Amit Kumar Singh and S Bhuvaneswari
7. Scaling productivity and farm income through soybean based inter-& sequential cropping under
rainfed Central India with improved agro-technologies 242
CS Praharaj, Ram Lal Jat, Ummed Singh, SS Singh, RP Singh, R Elanchezhian and NP Singh
8. Genotypic variability for phosphorous acquisition efficiency of chickpea in P-deficient inceptisol 250
Mohan Singh, M Senthilkumar and SK Chaturvedi
9. Effects of salt tolerant Trichoderma spp. on growth and nodulation of mungbean (Vignaradiata L.) 256
Krishna Kumar, Utkarsh Singh Rathore, Sandeep Kumar, Monika Mishra, Sonika Pandey and RK Mishra
10. Pulses production in India during last three plan periods-A growth analysis 261
Devraj, Hemant Kumar, Sripad Bhat and Rajesh Kumar
SHORT COMMUNICATIONS
11. Heterosis in relation to molecular diversity in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) 264
GS Thorat, VN Toprope and PB Wadikar
12. Effect of diverse sowing methods on organic mungbean production in Bundelkhand region of India 268
Neetiraj Karotiya and B Gangwar

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