The expression pattern of LEA and Dehydrin genes in two chickpea ( Cicer arietinum L.) genotypes MCC283 and MCC80 in the various phonological stages under drought stress was investigated. For drought treatment, soil - grown 30 day - old (vegetative stage), 50 day - old (flowering stage) and 60 day old (podding stage) plants were subjected to progressive drought by withholding water for 2, 4, and 6 day and untreated plants were used as control. RNA was extracted from leaf and then cDNA was synthesized. RT qPCR an alysis of LEA and Dehydrin expression using specific primers showed different expression patterns in different stages of both chickpea genotypes . Differential expression of LEA was observed in both genotypes in various phonological stage and its timing, duration and intensity of drought treatments . The expression levels of Dehydrin in both genotypes were increased significantly from 2 to 6 day of water deficit in vegetative and podding stages. Based on the obtained results, the increase in LE A and Dehydrin expression in the drought treatment for both genotypes in the Vegetative, Flowering and podding stages might be an adaptation to overcome the stress condition, supplying energy for growth and survival, thus helping the plant to survive

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