CHARACTERIZATION OF SOME MORPHO-PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES, SEED CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND GRAIN YIELD IN LENTIL VARIETIES ( Lens culinaris Medik culinaris) UNDER IRRIGATED AND RAINFED CONDITIONS

In Algeria, pulses are rain crops and are drought-prone during their breeding period, resulting in a loss of yield. To this end, four varieties of lentil are tested for their drought tolerance through bio-stress indicators in a field trial during the 2016/2017 crop year. Plants are grown under rained and irrigated conditions (irrigation + rainfall), from the "flowering" stage to the "filling of grains" stage. The results indicated that drought stress significantly decreased the relative water content (13.4%), leaf surfaces (32.21%), and grain yield of all genotypes tested (58.37%). The chemical composition of lentil seeds showed a reduction in starch content (4.41%) and an increase in protein content (32.21%). Potassium ions and Sodium ions were present at the highest and lowest concentrations (747.91ppm- 4.5ppm) in rainfall conditions, respectively, while Ca++, PO4-, and Mg++ concentrations were not affected by drought. In conclusion, the emphasis on bio-indicators of water stress tolerance at the reproductive period is of great importance in minimizing grain yield losses and the quality of seeds.