File(s) not publicly available
The Effects of Salinity and Sodicity upon Nodulation and Nitrogen Fixation in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum)
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 08:32 authored by D L N Rao, K E Giller, A R Yeo, Tim FlowersProduction of grain legumes is severely reduced in salt-affected soils because their ability to form and maintain nitrogen-fixing nodules is impaired by both salinity and sodicity (alkalinity). Genotypes of chickpea, Cicer arietinum, with high nodulation capacity under stress were identified by field screening in a sodic soil in India and subsequently evaluated quantitatively for nitrogen fixation in a glasshouse study in a saline but neutral soil in the UK. In the field, pH 9 was the critical upper limit for most genotypes studied but genotypes with high nodulation outperformed all others at pH 0–2. The threshold limit of soil salinity for shoot growth was at ECe 3 dS m–1, except for the high-nodulation selection for which it was ECe 6. Nodulation was reduced in all genotypes at salinities above 3 dS m–1 but to a lesser extent in the high-nodulation selection, which proved inherently superior under both non-saline and stress conditions. Nitrogen fixation was also much more tolerant of salinity in this selection than in the other genotypes studied. The results show that chickpea genotypes tolerant of salt-affected soil have better nodulation and support higher rates of symbiotic nitrogen fixation than sensitive genotypes.
History
Publication status
- Published
Journal
Annals of BotanyISSN
0305-7364Publisher
Oxford University PressExternal DOI
Issue
5Volume
89Page range
563-570Department affiliated with
- Evolution, Behaviour and Environment Publications
Full text available
- No
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2012-02-06Usage metrics
Categories
No categories selectedKeywords
Licence
Exports
RefWorks
BibTeX
Ref. manager
Endnote
DataCite
NLM
DC