biostudies-literatureUnknown15(1)Basavaraj PSChickpea, a protein-rich legume grown primarily in tropical and subtropical regions, faces significant challenges due to drought stress. A field study was conducted over two years (2020-21 and 2021-22) aimed to identify chickpea genotypes that are tolerant to drought. The study involved 25 chickpea genotypes subjected to irrigated (control) and water stress (drought) conditions and the experiment was arranged in a split-plot design. The study results indicated significant variation among the genotypes, water treatments, years, and their interactions. Multiple stress tolerance indices, association analysis, principal component analysis, biplot analysis, clustering, and ranking methods were employed to identify drought tolerant genotypes. The stress tolerance index (STI), mean relative perfoScientific reports8282https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11893907biostudies-literatureIndex-Based selection of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) genotypes for enhanced drought tolerance.PMC11893907Prabhakar MReddy KSBabar RM Halli HJangid KKBasavaraj PSRane JKumar MGangurde AShinde SHarisha CBBoraiah KMfalseIndex-Based selection of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) genotypes for enhanced drought tolerance.Chickpea, a protein-rich legume grown primarily in tropical and subtropical regions, faces significant challenges due to drought stress. A field study was conducted over two years (2020-21 and 2021-22) aimed to identify chickpea genotypes that are tolerant to drought. The study involved 25 chickpea genotypes subjected to irrigated (control) and water stress (drought) conditions and the experiment was arranged in a split-plot design. The study results indicated significant variation among the genotypes, water treatments, years, and their interactions. Multiple stress tolerance indices, association analysis, principal component analysis, biplot analysis, clustering, and ranking methods were employed to identify drought tolerant genotypes. The stress tolerance index (STI), mean relative perfo2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Mar2025-04-20T01:46:27.669Z2025-04-20T01:46:27.669ZS-EPMC118939074006499010.1038/s41598-025-93273-1