Effects of salinity stress on growth processes and survival of desi-type chickpea genotypes in hydroponic conditions

This study was conducted as split-plot based on Complete Randomized Block Design with three replications in 2019 at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. Salinity as the main plot (eight, 12 and 16dS m-1) and 13 chickpea genotypes were allocated to sub-plots. Salinity levels of eight and 12dS m-1, two genotypes of MCC606 and MCC643 had the highest survival percentage and at salinity level of 16dS m-1, only three genotypes of MCC539, MCC606 and MCC658 survived. Relative water content (RWC), Membrane Stability Index (MSI) and concentration of chlorophyll-a, were decreased in all genotypes as salinity level increased. Among the genotypes, MCC606 had the highest values of RWC, MSI and carotenoids at salinity levels of 12 and 16dS m-1. Proline content was increased in all genotypes as salinity level increased from eight to 12dS m-1. Results of the cluster analysis indicated the superiority of MCC539, MCC658 and MCC606 compared to total mean in all parameters. Principal component analysis showed that the first component explained 64.49% of changes in DPPH, carotenoids, MSI and biomass in three genotypes of MCC539, MCC658 and MCC606. Since this experiment was conducted in controlled conditions, field assessment of freezing tolerance of the superior genotypes is recommended to confirm the results of the present study.