Appraisal of Salt Sensitivity among Elite Genotypes of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) At Seedling Stage

Abstract

Background: The cool-season grain legume chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) crop is sensitive to salt stress. Especially, NaCl salt inhibits both the rate and extent of seed germination and plant establishment. Methods: The 20 Desi chickpea genotypes were investigated under different levels of NaCl salt stress (0, 4, 6, 8, and 10 dS/m) at the seedling stage with three replications during Rabi 2020-21. Observations were recorded at 15 and 30 DAS (Days after sowing) for seedling growth, vigor, and physiological performance. Result: The seedling length (cm), fresh weight (g), and relative water content (RWC%) exhibited decreasing trends and reversibly increasing trends by the relative stress injury (RSI%) with increasing NaCl salinity levels. The values of the length of coleoptile and radicle (cm) at control to 10 dS/m ranged from 15.9-8.6 cm and 29.6-18.3 cm, respectively at 15 DAS and from 20.5-12.8 cm and 30.3-18.3 cm, respectively at 30 DAS. The chickpea genotypes identified as the source of salinity tolerance were HC5, HC3, HC1, H12-22, H14-14, and H03-56 as they maintained higher growth, water status, and fewer membrane injuries at the seedling stage, recognized as screening tools under salt stress which could be used to enhance/develop a new salt-tolerant variety in chickpea breeding programme.