Abstract
We evaluated growth response and potassium utilization efficiency of 10 chickpea cultivars grown under
adequate (3.0 mM) and deficient (0.3 mM) K supply in hydroponics. Cultivars were grown for one month to study
growth and physiological parameters relating tolerance against K deficiency. Cultivars differed significantly in
biomass production, shoot K concentration, uptake and use efficiency at both levels of K supply. Shoot and root
biomass production was significantly decreased due to K deficiency stress. Reduction in shoot dry matter varied
significantly among cultivars and efficient cultivars showed minimum reduction in shoot dry matter due to K
deficiency. Efficient K utilized cultivars (C-612, C-44, 93081) produced higher biomass as indicated by significant
positive correlation (r= 0.84, P<0.01) between SDM and K use efficiency. Positive and significant correlation
(r=0.92, P<0.01) between SDM and Na uptake suggested dependence of SDM production on Na uptake at
adequate as well as deficient levels of K supply. The results indicated significant genetic differences in K
utilization efficiency among chickpea cultivars which can be exploited for breeding efficient cultivars to be grown
under low K soils especially in low input sustainable agriculture.
Key words: Chickpea, potassium, genetic variations, nutrient use efficiency
