Evaluation of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) genotypes for resistance of lime‐induced chlorosis

Abstract

In calcareous soils, chickpea cultivars frequently exhibit symptoms of lime‐induced chlorosis and reduced yield. This behavior is influenced by genetic and physiological factors. Five chickpea lines (ICCL 81192, ILC 263, ILC 482, ILC 2643 and a local Lebanese cultivar), were grown for 10 weeks in soils of varying CaC03 content with and without added Fe and K. Plants were rated for Fe chlorosis resistance and analyzed for chlorophyll, Ca, Mg, K, P, and active and total Fe. In the 63% CaCO₃ soil, both ILC 482 and ILC 263 were highly resistant to Fe chlorosis, the Lebanese local cultivar was moderately resistant, whereas ICCL 81192 and ILC 2643 were chlorosis susceptible. However, no line was fully resistant in the soil with 82% CaCO₃. Chlorosis was alleviated by Fe‐EDDHA treatment, but K₂SO₄ had only a slight effect in delaying the onset of chlorosis. Visual chlorosis rating was negatively correlated with leaf chlorophyll content and dry weight of aerial plant tissue. In the non‐calcareous soil, susceptible lines had higner concentrations of K⁺ and Fe3⁺ than resistant ones. As chlorosis progressed in susceptible lines grown on calcareous soils, plant Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ concentrations decreased, while Ca, K and Mg increased. Genetic studies indicated that a single recessive gene may control susceptibility of lime‐induced chlorosis in chickpea.

Key words:

• Calcareous soils
• non‐calcareous soils
• Fe‐EDDHA