Effect of salinity-NaCl and clay-bentonite on some growth parameters of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under greenhouse conditions

The present research was taken out to assess the physiological, biochemical, and photosynthetic responses of the chickpea (Cicer arietinum L) to the combination of clay-bentonite and saline water in greenhouse conditions, at four concentrations of NaCl (0, 50, 100 and 200 mM). A substantial decrease in all the studied parameters (germination rate, root and stem length, fresh weight or dry weight, relative water content and chlorophyll content) was observed when salinity was increased. However, the application of various NaCl concentrations improved the total soluble protein and soluble sugar content in plants cultivated in the substrate without bentonite. The imposition of 50 mM NaCl with bentonite increased total soluble protein content. In contrast, the 100 and 200 mM treatment led to decreased total soluble protein content. The use of the bentonite did not produce any changes into depreciating of the effect of NaCl stress. On the other hand, salinity-bentonite exacerbated a reduction in physiological and biochemical processes of chickpea. Indeed, the K+/Na+ ratio decreased in all organs of plants with increasing NaCl doses. This ratio is slightly in favor of K+ only in substrate without bentonite. Our findings indicated that salinity-bentonite exacerbated a reduction in physiological and biochemical processes.