Amelioration of Salinity stress in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) variety PBG5 through foliar spray of Ascorbic acid

Abstract

Chickpea (C. arietinum L.) is the second most important legume crop sown as a winter crop in northern parts of India, and its productivity is constraint by several abiotic stress, and sat stress is one of the important factor for significant yield loss. Spraying the plants with ascorbic acid might trigger the signaling pathways that will prepare the plants to combat lethal salt stress. In this study, chickpea variety PBG5 was sprayed with ascorbic acid along with 50 mM of NaCl stress and further analyzed for various parameters. To see the effects of ascorbic acid spray various cell responses were monitored by measuring membrane damage (ELI & MDA content), water status (RLWC), Chlorophyll content and Antioxidant enzyme activity (SOD and CAT) along with growth and total biomass. Present study clearly reflected that foliar spray of ascorbic acid enhances the tolerance capacity of the plants and prevents noticeable damage in them. To conclude whole study, treatment with ascorbic acid has ability to improve the tolerance against salt stress in chickpea.