Effects of γ-radiation on chickpea (Cicer arietinum) varieties and their tolerance to salinity stress

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is a bisexual and self-pollinated legume. It improves the soil fertility through its natural ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen with symbiotic bacteria. Salinity one of most important abiotic stress factors affecting plant growth. γ-radiation very effective tool for inducing mutations in many plants. This study evaluated effect on germination, cell division growth first-generation Seeds seven chickpea varieties were irradiated doses ranging between 50 Gy 600 Gy. Non-significant differences germination percentage recorded seeds exposed Gy, 100 200 comparison corresponding controls except ILC 484. The mitotic index (MI) root cells increased at low comparing reduced higher all control. All induced variable range chromosomal abnormalities; common bridges, laggard chromosomes, stickiness metaphase, chromosome breaks, micronuclei binucleate cells. 300 degradation nuclear membranes. salinity treatments 25 mM NaCl 60 seedling’s cultivars. dose alleviated impact concentration varieties, FLIP 84-188 97-263. treatment significantly early cultivars was not by γ-radiation.