Impact of Salt Stress on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Cicer arietinum L.

Salt stress is a major abiotic constraint affecting crop productivity worldwide, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions where soil salinization is intensifying due to poor irrigation practices and climatic variability. This study evaluates the impact of salt stress on seed germination and early seedling growth of Cicer arietinum L. (chickpea), a legume moderately sensitive to salinity during its initial developmental stages. Two salts—sodium chloride (NaCl) and potassium chloride (KCl)—were applied at four concentrations: 0% (control), 0.5%, 1%, and 2%. Surface-sterilized seeds were sown in cotton-lined Petri dishes and treated with 2 ml of the respective salt solution every two days over a seven-day period under controlled laboratory conditions. Physiological parameters including germination percentage (GP), mean germination time (MGT), and seed vigor indices (SVI-1 and SVI-2) were measured to assess seedling performance and stress tolerance. Results indicated that both NaCl and KCl significantly inhibited germination and seedling growth at 1% and 2% concentrations, with complete suppression observed at these levels. At 0.5%, seeds showed delayed germination, reduced root and shoot lengths, and lower vigor compared to the control. Notably, KCl-treated seeds exhibited slightly higher GP and vigor indices than those exposed to NaCl, suggesting that potassium ions are less phytotoxic than sodium ions under equivalent osmotic stress. The findings confirm that elevated salinity adversely affects early chickpea development, with NaCl exerting a more detrimental effect. This underscores the importance of breeding salt-tolerant chickpea varieties and implementing sustainable soil and water management strategies in saline-prone agricultural zones. Additionally, the methodology and quantitative indicators employed offer a reliable framework for screening salinity tolerance in other leguminous crops.