Abstract
Salinity is one of the most severe abiotic stresses for crop production. The present study investigates the salinity induced modulation in growth indicators, morphology and movement of stomata, photosynthetic pigments, activity of carbonic anhydrase as well as nitrate reductase, and antioxidant systems in two varieties of chickpea (Pusa-BG5023, and Pusa-BGD72). On 20th day of sowing, plants were treated with varying levels of NaCl (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mM) followed by sampling on 45 days of sowing. Recorded observations on both the varieties reveal that salt stress leads to a significant decline in growth, dry biomass, leaf area, photosynthetic pigments, protein content, stomatal behavior, cell viability, activity of nitrate reductase and carbonic anhydrase with the rise in the concentration of salt. However, quantitatively these changes were less in Pusa-BG5023 as compared to Pusa-BGD72. Furthermore, salinity-induced oxidative stress enhanced malondialdehyde content, superoxide radicals, foliar proline content, and the enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase. The variety Pusa-BGD72 was found more sensitive than Pusa-BG5023 to salt stress. Out of different graded concentrations (50, 100, 150 and 200 mM) of sodium chloride, 50 mM was least toxic, and 200 mM was most damaging. The differential behavior of these two varieties measured in terms of stomatal behavior, cell viability, photosynthetic pigments, and antioxidant defense system can be used as prospective indicators for selection of chickpea plants for salt tolerance and sensitivity.