Changes in growth, lipid peroxidation and some key antioxidant enzymes in chickpea genotypes under salt stress

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of NaCl on growth and some key antioxidants in chickpea. Eight genotypes of chickpea were grown hydroponically for 15 days and then treated with different concentrations of salt [0 mM (T0), 25 mM (T1), 50 mM (T2), 75 mM (T3), and 100 mM (T4)]. Salinity showed marked changes in growth parameters (fresh and dry weight of root and shoot). The level of lipid peroxidation was measured by estimating malondialdehyde content. Lipid peroxidation increases with the increase in NaCl concentration in all genotypes but salt-tolerant genotypes (SKUA-06 and SKUA-07) were least affected as compared to other genotypes. The chlorophyll content was also affected with elevated levels of NaCl. Increased concentration of salt increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione reductase in all chickpea genotypes but maximum activity was observed in salt-tolerant (SKUA-06 and SKUA-07) genotypes. Two genotypes of salt-tolerant and salt-sensitive varieties were analyzed further by real time PCR which revealed that the expression of SOD, APX and CAT genes were increased by NaCl in the salt-tolerant variety. The enhancement in tolerance against salt stress indicates that the genes involved in the antioxidative process are triggered by oxidative stress induced by environmental change. The results indicate that NaCl-induced oxidative stress hampers the normal functioning of the cell. The efficient antioxidants play a great role in mitigating the effect of NaCl stress in chickpea. This screening of NaCl-tolerant genotypes of chickpea can be performed on salt-affected land.