Influence of foliar application of manganese on growth, pigment content, and nitrate reductase activity of Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek under salinity

The effect of the micronutrient manganese (Mn) on the physiological performance of green gram [Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek] under saline condition was studied in the present work. Green gram was grown under controlled conditions and treated with different concentrations of sodium chloride (NaCl): 100, 200, and 300mM. The plant samples were analyzed from 25 to 65days of plant growth at every 10-day interval. Significant difference was observed in leaf area index, membrane stability index, nitrate reductase enzyme activity, total chlorophyll, and carotenoid content in treated plants. A drastic reduction was recorded at 200 and 300mM NaCl treated plants in the parameters. The concentration 100mM resulted in a slight increase of the parameters. Foliar application of Mn as manganese chloride (MnCl2) was found to improve the physiological parameters in green gram at 200 and 300mM salinity level and was useful in alleviating the detrimental effects of NaCl.