Screening of Cicer arietinum L. genotypes under combined presence of NaCl and anthracene using membership function value of stress tolerance

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are mutagenic, carcinogenic compounds that are persistent in environment and limits overall growth of plants. Anthracene is a starting member and one of the simplest compound of all 16 known PAHs. It is an integral part of many carcinogenic PAHs. Being ubiquitous, PAHs can be present in saline soils also. Salinity is the one of major catastrophic stress affecting plant development. Thus, the present study aimed at studying the combined effect of salt and PAHs on the Cicer arietinum L. (Chickpea). 10 Chickpea genotypes were screened on the basis of their response to the combined presence of NaCl and Anthracene. Optimum NaCl, Anthracene and Combined NaCl and Anthracene concentration calculated using Stress Injury Index was 40 mM, 5 mg and 60 + 5 mg A respectively. Various morphological and Physiological traits were studied and the data collected was evaluated by calculating the Stress Tolerance Index and Membership Function Value of stress tolerance as well as regression analysis was done for further validation. Results revealed that combined stress of NaCl and Anthracene have a synergistic effect on plant growth. On the basis of results obtained, GPF2 and PDG4 were selected as most tolerant and most sensitive chickpea genotypes. Of all the traits studied, dry weight of shoot was found to be the most reliable trait for studying the effect of NaCl and Anthracene alone whereas root length was found to be the most reliable trait for studying the combined effect of NaCl and Anthracene.