Genotypic differences in water status, membrane integrity, ionic content, N2-fixing efficiency and dry matter of mungbean nodules under saline irrigation.

A pot experiment was conducted under natural conditions of screen house to evaluate the effect of saline irrigation given at flowering stage (30-35 DAS) on nodule functioning and their tolerance in two mungbean genotypes viz. Asha and Muskan based on various physiological traits. The pots containing sandy soil (Typic Torrispamments) were saturated with Cl-dominated saline irrigation to maintain ECe of 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 dS m(-1) as compared to control. In both the genotypes osmotic potential (Ψs) and relative water content (RWC %) of nodules decreased significantly, while a sharp rise in proline and total soluble sugars contents were observed with the increasing level of saline irrigation after 10 and 20 days of treatment. A marked increase in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), lipid peroxidation (MDA content) and relative stress injury (RSI %) was noticed in nodules which were much higher in Muskan. The decrease in Ψs of nodules was more pronounced in Asha than in Muskan, while reverse was true for RWC and proline accumulation. A sharp decline in acetylene reduction assay (ARA) for N2-fixation, leghemoglobin content and dry matter of the nodules was observed, but was more in Muskan than in Asha. Nitrogen (N) content declined while Na(+)/K(+) ratio and Cl(-) content increased significantly. The genotype Asha maintained better N2-fixing efficiency but lower Na(+)/K(+) ratio and Cl(-) content in nodules than Muskan. Though the nodule functioning was further deteriorated at 20 DAT in both the genotypes yet the tolerance capacity of nodules in Asha was better than in Muskan under saline conditions which is correlated with the compensatory mechanism i.e. osmoregulation in nodules.