Biometric Parameters in Certain Peanut (Arachis hypogaea Varieties Varying in Drought Tolerance

摘要

This study was based on the field performance of selected groundnut varieties namely VRI-2, VRI-3, VRI-4, VRI-5, VRI-6, TMV-13, ALR-1, ALR-3 and CO-2, collected from different parts of Tamil Nadu, South India. According to their yield performance during crop (without water deficit) season and drought (with water deficit) season under field conditions, these varieties were categorized into drought tolerant (DT) and drought susceptible (DS) types based on their drought response index (DRI) values. An array of biometric parameters was also analyzed in all the varieties during both seasons in order to understand how these parameters fluctuate due to water deficit. The results showed that variations in biometric parameters among the varieties were statistically significant. It is also clear that the DT types were different from the DS types in terms of biometric parameters. This research paper indicates that drought tolerance in peanut is a result of the interaction among many different biometric traitsthat work in a synergistic manner, conferring the ability to evade water deficit under field conditions.