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Salt sensitivity in chickpea ( C icer arietinum L .): ions in reproductive tissues and yield components in contrasting genotypes
Author(s) -
KOTULA LUKASZ,
KHAN HAMMAD A.,
QUEALY JOHN,
TURNER NEIL C.,
VADEZ VINCENT,
SIDDIQUE KADAMBOT H. M.,
CLODE PETA L.,
COLMER TIMOTHY D.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
plant, cell and environment
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.646
H-Index - 200
eISSN - 1365-3040
pISSN - 0140-7791
DOI - 10.1111/pce.12506
Subject(s) - point of delivery , salinity , biology , reproduction , genotype , zoology , saline , yield (engineering) , horticulture , botany , gene , ecology , biochemistry , endocrinology , materials science , metallurgy
The reproductive phase in chickpea ( C icer arietinum L .) is affected by salinity, but little is known about the underlying cause. We investigated whether high concentrations of Na + and Cl – in the reproductive structures influence reproductive processes. Chickpea genotypes contrasting in tolerance were subjected to 0, 35 or 50 m m NaCl applied to soil in pots. Flower production and abortion, pod number, percentage of empty pods, seed number and size were evaluated. The concentrations of Na + , K + and Cl – were measured in various plant tissues and, using X ‐ray microanalysis, in specific cells of developing reproductive structures. Genotypic variation in reproductive success measured as seed yield in saline conditions was associated with better maintenance of flower production and higher numbers of filled pods (and thus seed number), whereas seed size decreased in all genotypes. Despite the variation in reproductive success, the accumulation of Na + and Cl – in the early reproductive tissues of developing pods did not differ between a tolerant ( G enesis836) and a sensitive ( R upali) genotype. Similarly, salinity tolerance was not associated with the accumulation of salt ions in leaves at the time of reproduction or in seeds at maturity.