Effects of salt stress on growth, nodulation, and nitrogen and carbon fixation of ten genetically diverse lines of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)
Bhupinder Singh A D , Binod Kumar Singh A , Jitender Kumar B , Shyam Singh Yadav B and K. Usha CA Nuclear Research Laboratory, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi - 110 012, India.
B Division of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi - 110 012, India.
C Division of Fruits and Horticulture Technology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi - 110 012, India.
D Corresponding author. Email: bhupindersinghiari@yahoo.com
Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 56(5) 491-495 https://doi.org/10.1071/AR04014
Submitted: 20 January 2004 Accepted: 31 March 2005 Published: 31 May 2005
Abstract
Salinity is one of the major environmental constraints affecting agriculture in major regions of the world. It is known to depress greatly the growth and symbiotic performance of nodulated legumes. In the present study conducted over 2 rabi (dry) seasons, 2000–01 and 2001–02, 10 genetically diverse chickpea lines were compared for salt tolerance in terms of growth, nodulation, moisture content, and nodule nitrogen and carbon fixation. Chickpea lines were raised in an open-air chamber in soil supplied with 0, 50, 75, and 100 mm NaCl. The shoot, root, and the single-plant weight declined with increasing level of salt. Chickpea lines BG-1075 (desi type) and BGD-70 (Kabuli type) showed better plant growth than the former 2 lines but were poorer in nodulation under salt stress. An almost identical pattern of salt response was observed for nodule number, weight per nodule, nitrogen, and carbon fixation among the chickpea lines. No distinct relationship was found among root/shoot ratio, plant moisture content, and salt tolerance response of the chickpea. However, nodulation capacity (number and mass) under salt stress was related to salt tolerance response of chickpea lines. This trait could be used for improvement of salt tolerance of this legume species in order to increase its productivity and stability in saline soils.
Acknowledgments
This work was supported by research grants of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi.
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