Seed Source Variation in Chlorophyll Contents of Leaves of Acacia nilotica (Linn.) Willd. Ex Del ssp. Indica (Benth.) Brenan (Babul) Under Different Water Stress Conditions

The chlorophyll content of leaf as influenced by four water stress levels on seedlings belonging to 9 seed sources of 30 progenies of Acacia nilotica was studied in controlled conditions. Considerable differences were observed among seed sources with respect to chlorophylls a and 6, and total chlorophyll (a + b) content (nig g^-1 fresh weight). Chlorophyll content decreased with increasing water stress in all the sources, however, the decrease was higher in seedlings of the humid sources as compared to dry sources. Overall high amount of chlorophyll content (chlorophyll a, b and total) was observed in seed sources collected from drier region of the country, whereas, low chlorophyll content was observed from humid sources. The chlorophyll contents were negatively correlated with rainfall.