Variability in the Response of Chickpea Cultivars to Short-Term Salinity, in Terms of Water Retention Capacity, Membrane Permeability, and Osmo-Protection

Authors : Neera GARG, Ranju SINGLA

Pages : 57-63

View : 11 | Download : 7

Publication Date : 2009-02-01

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Seedlings of 2 chickpea cultivars insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Cicer arietinum L.);, salt-tolerant kabuli insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(CSG 9651); and salt-sensitive desi insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(DCP 92-3);, were raised under control insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(distilled water); and salinity insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(EC = 4, 6, and 8 dS m-1); conditions. Salt treatments were applied once symbiosis was well established insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(i.e. 15 days after sowing [DAS]); and continued until the last sampling stage insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(i.e. 70 DAS);. The experiments were terminated 70 DAS and the plants were analyzed 40 and 70 DAS. Salt stress decreased the relative water content insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(RWC);, membrane stability index insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(MSI);, leaf chlorophyll insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(CHL);, plant biomass, and grain yield, and increased total soluble sugars in both cultivars at both stages insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(40 and 70 DAS);. Salinity-induced declines in RWC, MSI, CHL, biomass, and grain yield were significantly greater in desi DCP 92-3 than in Kabuli CSG 9651. DCP 92-3 also had higher accumulation of Na+ in the roots as well its translocation into shoots, which had a negative impact on the K+/Na+ ratio. Results indicate that the salinity tolerance of kabuli CSG 9651, as manifested by less of a decrease in biomass and grain yield, was associated with higher membrane permeability, osmolyte concentration, and potassium content, and lower sodium content, as compared to salt-sensitive desi DCP 92-3. It is apparent that the salt-tolerant cultivar had better protection against salt-induced stress as a result of the cumulative action of various physiological and biochemical processes.
Keywords : Cicer arietinum, cultivars, membrane stability index, osmolytes, relative water content