Variability in response of chickpea (Cicer Arietinum L.) cultivars to salt stress in germination and early growth of the seedlings

Eleven cultivars of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) were tested in order to screen their relative salt tolerance (at EC 2,4,6 and 8 dSm⁻¹) at germination and early seedling growth. Significant variations were observed amongst the various cultivars even at the germination stage and the cultivars could be distinctly classified as salt tolerant (Pusa 256, Pusa 329, Pusa 362 and BGD 87), salt sensitive (BG 1006, BG 1008, BG 1009 and BGD 86) and moderately salt tolerant (BG 372, BG 1044 and BGD 94). Germination relative index (GRI) was significantly reduced in the sensitive cultivars, while the tolerant cultivars did not show significant differences in their germinability under different levels of salt stress (2, 4, 6 and 8 dSm⁻¹ EC). Similar effects were observed with regard to the early seedling growth measured as root/shoot length as well as their dry weights. The seedlings also showed deleterious effects in the quantity of nitrogen, proteins as well as total chlorophyll at 12,19 and 26 days after sowing. The effects of salt stress became more pronounced at 26 DAS. On the other hand, a gradual and progressive accumulation of total soluble sugars was observed in all the cultivars under study. However, the quantum of accumulation was maximum in the tolerant cultivars and minimum in the sensitive ones.