Interaction effects of vermicompost extract and drought stress on germination indices of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.cv. Pirouz)

Vermicompost extract can reduce negetive effects of different stresses on plant, due to its porous structure, high water storage capacity, and exsistance of some substances resembling hormones and plant growth regulators. This study was performed to investigate interactions of different levels of vermicompost extract and drought stress on germination characteristics of chickpea seedlings. The experiment was conducted in completely randomized design with four replications was conducted in 2014 at the Khatam Alanbia University of Behbahan. Seeds were sown in Petri dishes at different concentrations of vermicompost extract (0, 5, 10 and 20%) and four levels of negative water potential (0, -0.3, -0.6 and -0.9 MPa) that was prepared by PEG 6000. The seeds were placed in the germinator under controlled conditions.Vermicompost extract at -0.3 MPa significantly improved some germination indices, so that 10% levels of extract had the highest germination percentage 63.66%), radicle length 4.31 cm), 20% levels had the highest plumule dry weight (50.6 mg) and 5% levels had the highest radicle dry weight (89 mg) compared to control. Under -0.6 and -0.9 MPa, vermicompost extract, did not compensate for the negative effects of drought stress on germination characteristics. In general, this study showed that the use vermicompost extract during seed germination no significant effect under Severe drought stress, but under moderate drought stress (-0.3 MPa) is effective.