PHYSIOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF SOME BIPARENTAL LINES OF PEA (Pisum sativum L.) UNDER DROUGHT STRESS

Drought stress is one of the major environmental stresses that considerably decreased agricultural production worldwide, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. The present research was to study the response of fifteen pea genotypes at different levels of drought stress induced by five different concentrations of polyethylene glycol (0%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%) and three water deficit levels (100% Field Capacity, 50% Field Capacity, and 25% Field Capacity) to create different levels of drought stress and screening of drought tolerant pea genotypes in the Lab. plastic house. The fifteen pea genotypes in response to drought stress showed significant parameter variations. At the lowest dose of PEG (5%, 10%), all studied genotypes displayed excellent performance in all parameters. However, under the highest dose of PEG (30%), representing the most water-deficient condition, all genotypes experienced a reduction in germination percentage and mine germination rate, along with an increase in mean germination time. Exposure of plants to drought stress at plastic house significantly decreased seed yield by 52.29% in the case of 50% field capacity, whereas by 85.58% in the case of 25% field capacity compared to control. Plant crops developed different physiological, biochemical, and genetic mechanisms, including drought escape, drought avoidance, and tolerance to reduce the effect of water stress. The results of our study help to understand the possible role of physiological attributes, phytochemical investigation, and their contribution to enhancing pea's ability to withstand water deficits. Consequently, the scientific results were thoroughly evaluated and summarized in this study.