Effect of different types of salinities on gram (Cicer arietinum L.) during germination. 1. seedling growth and water relations

Seeds of gram (Cicer arietinum L.) were surface sterilized and germinated in petridishes placed in seed germiaator. Salinity was created by adding 10 ml aquous solution of each of the four salts, namely, NaCl, KCl, Na₂SO₄ and K₂SO₄ at two stress levels either given before or 48 h after germination. Na. SO, salinity resulted into reduced germination, whereas other salts delayed germination. The reduction of growth was also maximum with Na₂SO₄ followed by K₂SO₄ NaCl and KCl. The water potential and osmotic potential of seedling decreased with increase in the level of salinity. Pressure potential was maintained under chloride salinity but decreased under sulphate salinity. Therefore, reduction in growth under chloride salinity seems to be due to toxic ion accumulation, whereas under sulphate salinity both ion accumulation and reduced turgor seem to be responsible for growth reduction.