Effect of salinity stress on mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] during consecutive summer and spring seasons

Mungbean is an ecologically important food grain legume crop. Susceptibility towards salinity stress has limited the productivity of mungbean. The effect of salt stress on two popular mungbean varieties ("Pusa vishal" and "Pusa ratna") has been compared during summer and spring seasons. The experiment was carried out at two salinity stress levels (50 mM and 75 mM NaCl). Significant variations and adaptability among stressed and non-stressed plants were observed in both varieties. The plants in early vegetative stage were found more resistant to salinity as compared to plants in late vegetative and reproductive stage. Salt stress, high temperature and salinity induced osmotic stress severely limited the plant growth, morphology, physiology and yield characteristics during summer. Measured parameters were less affected during spring season. The tolerant variety „Pusa vishal‟ exhibited less reduction in plant height, total chlorophyll and carotenoid contents, plant length, leaf area, rate of photosynthesis, number of pods per plant and grain yield at high salinity level. However, the susceptible variety „Pusa ratna‟ showed higher reduction for the measured parameters under salinity stress. A delay in pod ripening during spring season resulted in less pod-shattering. The present study may help to execute further research on screening of large mungbean germplasm for salt tolerance during spring season. The germplasm screening may help to identify resistant genotypes for genetic improvement of mungbean for growing in saline soil