Comparative genotypic tolerance against salinity in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Salinity tolerance of a range of chickpea genotypes was compared at various levels of salinity (EC of 0.5, 2, 4, 6 dS/m) under both laboratory and pot culture conditions. Considerable genotypic differences were evident in germination, seedling height, plant establishments, pollen fertility, plant survival, seed yield and Na⁺, K⁺ and Na⁺/K⁺ ratio. Higher concentration of NaCl caused a drastic reduction in germination, seedling height, plant establishment, pollen fertility, plant survival and seed yield. Increasing salinity level resulted in progressive absorption of Na⁺ in detriment of K⁺, thereby increased Na⁺/K⁺ ratio causing an ionic disequilibrium that possibly suppressed plant growth and adversely affected other parameters associated with reproductive stage of plants. Among genotypes compared, ‘Bio 201’ (a derivative of interspecific cross between Cicer arietinum and Cicer judaicum) showed maximum germination and minimum reduction in radicle as well as plumule length on different NaCl concentrations, while ‘CSG 8890’ (susceptible check) showed maximum reduction in all these parameters. ‘Bio 201’ and ‘CSG 8962’ showing moderate level of salinity tolerance may be considered for transferring genes for salinity tollerance to promising agronomic base.