Evaluation of bitter vetch genotypes (Vicia ervilia) for drought tolerance

In order to evaluate the water deficit stress tolerance of 16 bitter vetch genotypes, two experiments were conducted in the cropping year 2014-2015 using randomized complete block designs with three replications in two conditions non- stress and water deficit stress at the research farm of Razi University, Kermanshah. Combined variance analysis of the data showed that the effect of environment on most traits was significant. Different stress tolerance indices including stress susceptibility index (SSI), tolerance (TOL), geometric mean production (GMP), mean production (MP), stress tolerance index (STI), yield index (YI), yield stability index (YSI) and harmonic mean (HAM) were calculated based on the yield data in the both conditions. MP, GMP and STI indices showed positive significant correlation with yield in the both conditions, and YI and HAM indices were correlated with yield in the stress conditions. Therefore, they were appropriate indices for selection of tolerant genotypes. Based on the biplot of the first two main components, genotypes 2, 3, 10 and 16 were identified as suitable entries for the both conditions.