Changes in Growth, Photosynthetic Pigments, Cell Viability, Lipid Peroxidation and Antioxidant Defense System in Two Varieties of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Subjected to Salinity Stress

Salinity is one of the most severe abiotic stresses for crop production. The present study investigates salinity-induced modulation in growth indicators, morphology and movement stomata, photosynthetic pigments, activity carbonic anhydrase as well nitrate reductase, antioxidant systems two varieties chickpea (Pusa-BG5023, Pusa-BGD72). On 20th day sowing, plants were treated with varying levels NaCl (0, 50, 100, 150 200 mM) followed by sampling on 45 days sowing. Recorded observations both reveal that salt stress leads to a significant decline growth, dry biomass, leaf area, protein content, stomatal behavior, cell viability, reductase rise concentration salt. However, quantitatively these changes less Pusa-BG5023 compared Pusa-BGD72. Furthermore, oxidative enhanced malondialdehyde superoxide radicals, foliar proline enzymatic activities dismutase, catalase, peroxidase. variety Pusa-BGD72 was found more sensitive than stress. Out different graded concentrations (50, sodium chloride, 50 mM least toxic, damaging. differential behavior measured terms defense system can be used prospective indicators selection tolerance sensitivity.