Studies on Morphological and Physiological Traits on Mineral Composition in Cluster Bean Genotypes Under Drought Stress

Drought is a major factor limiting the growth of all crops in pod-filling stages. The functional relationship of drought stress and accumulation of various ions in cluster bean is to be studied properly. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of drought on morphological and physiological effect on root growth, shoot growth, leaf area, relative water content(R.W.C) and Chlorophyll SPAD reading values variations. Accumulation of several major nutrients in six cluster bean genotypes RGC-936, RGC-1025, HG-365, GC-1031, JG-1 and JG-2 genotypes have varying in drought tolerance. RGC-1025, RGC-936, HG365, GC-1031, JG-2, JG-1 were grown in departmental Botanical garden with Randomized block designed plot maintained under optimum temp for 39-48 days in field condition. Total root length was greater in RGC1025 and RGC-936 followed by JG-1 and JG-2. High decrease observed in N, P, K, Ca, Mg and Zn nutrient content and less decrease was observed in Fe and, Cu. It is found that the shoot root ratio, leaf area, RWC were high and chlorophyll SPAD reading values were less in water stressed conditions in the cluster bean genotypes RGC-1025, RGC-936 and HG365 when compared to JG-2, JG-1 and GC-1031.