Effects of different temperatures (10℃, 15℃, 20℃, 25℃ and 35℃) and
various water potentials (0, ﹣0.25, ﹣0.5, ﹣0.75, ﹣1.0, ﹣1.25, ﹣1.5 MPa) on seed germination and early seedling development of two
contrasting chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cultivars were studied.
Different temperatures were applied in an incubator by adjusting the device
according to the specific treatments. Water potential treatments were done by
using different concentrations of polyethylene glycol (PEG), 8000 (molecular
weight). The results showed significant differences between the two cultivars
in all characters studied. The cultivar Arman exhibited the higher germination
percentage and rate than the cultivar Pirooz. Water stress caused significant
reductions in germination parameters at unfavorable temperatures (10℃, 30℃,
and 35℃). Seeds of both cultivars, which are subjected to high osmotic
potentials, had high recovery percentages at the optimum temperature (25℃). In
conclusion, the cultivar Arman seems to be more tolerant to water stress at
suboptimal and super optimal temperatures compared with Pirooz.