Identifying susceptible and tolerant lentil (Lens culinaris Madke) genotypes through tolerance indices

In order to identify the best tolerance indices as well as the most drought tolerant lentil genotypes, an experiment was conducted on 10 lentil genotypes in Agricultural Research Station of Islamic Azad University, Ardabil Branch, in the form of Randomized Complete Blocks Design (RCBD), with three replications, during 2011 year. Results from analysis of variance for yield under two studied environments revealed the genotypes differed significantly in terms of grain yield under both conditions, at 5% probability level. Component analysis reduced the five indices into two components. Correlation analysis on yields in two studied environments and on indices, as well as the Bi Plot drawn based on the components, revealed STI to be the most suitable index capable of indentifying drought tolerant genotypes. Cultivars number 2, 8, 5 and 4 were located in desirable area of the Bi Plot, and can be considered as the most tolerant genotypes. Thus, the abovementioned genotypes produced low yield variability under different conditions and consequently were designated as stress tolerant genotypes.