Selection drought tolerant cultivars of lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) by measuring germination parameters

Drought stress is one of the most important factors in reducing the growth and yield of lentil plants under rain-fed condition. This study was performed to determine germination percent and rate, germination vigor and mean time, consumed andosperm, vigor index, plumule length and dry weight, radicle length, area, volume, diameter and dry weight lentil cultivars under drought stress, a factorial experiment done based on completely randomized design with four replications in 2015 at research Lab for plant physiology of Khatam Alanbia University of Behbahan. Treatments consisted of lentil cultivars (Gachsaran, Kimiya, Ziba and Robat) and drought stress in four levels (0, -0.3, -0.6 and -0.9 MP). Results showed that under non-stress, Robat cultivar compared to other cultivars was superior in all traits. Under -0.3 and -0.6 MPa, Robat and Gachsaran cultivars germination rate, mean germination time, germination vigor, plumule length, radicle dry weight and seed vigor was higher than the Kimiya and Ziba cultivars. Lentil cultivation done under rain-fed conditions and use of drought tolerant cultivars for planting to enhance product and yield is essential. This study suggests that the use of Robat cultivar instead of the cultivars used in rain-fed condition.