Changes of Seedling Growth and Ion Uptake of Chickpea Genotypes under Salt Stress Condition

In this investigation, the effect of salinity on the germination and seedling growth stages of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) varieties in hydroponic condition was studied. The experiment was carried out as Factorial based on Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 4 replications at the Physiology Lab at the Campus of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Razi University. The factors included different cultivars of chickpea (Jam, Bivanij, Arman, Azad, Hachem and ILC482) and different osmotic potential levels (0, 40, 80 and 120 mM) of NaCl. To study of micro and macro elements distribution in salinity condition, different parts of plant were evaluated. During these stages, the percentage of germination, total dry weight at seedling stage, root and shoot dry weight, chlorophyll fluorescence, stomatal resistance, and concentration of micro and macro elements were investigated. The results indicated that the interaction of variety and salinity for the most traits were significant. All of the traits except Na+ accumulation and stomatal resistance were decreased by increasing salinity concentration at germination and seedling growth stages. Arman and ILC482 at the germination stage and Hachem and Bivanij at seedling stage seem to have a greater tolerance to salinity stress.