Response of agronomic, physiological and quality characteristics of Rainfed chickpea to Salicylic Acid and Selenium

This experiment was carried out as factorial based on randomized complete block design with four replications in 2011-2012 growing season. The experimental factors were Selenium in four levels 0, 6, 12 and 18 g ha-1 and salicylic acid in three levels 0, 100 and 200 mg L-1. Results showed that foliar application of selenium at rate of 12 and 18 g ha-1 decreased ion leakage by 11.6 and 18.8% compared with control, respectively. The treatments interaction effects showed that maximum grain yield equal to 1687.6 kg ha-1 was recorded from 200 mg L-1 salicylic acid along with 18 g ha-1 selenium that increased by 30.79% compared with control. The highest selenium concentration equal to 2119 ppb was obtained from 100 mg lit-1 salicylic acid along with 18 g ha-1 selenium that increased by 3.9 times compared with control. The maximum grain protein equal to 20.8% belonged to treatment of 100 mg L-1 salicylic acid along with 12 g ha-1 selenium that increased by 3.8% compared with control.