Influence of phosphate and zinc on growth, nodulation and mineral composition of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under salt stress.

Zn(2+) at 5 ppm and phosphate at 20 and 40 ppm improved the growth and nodulation of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) at two levels of salinity (4.34 and 8.3 dS m(-1)). Augmentation with Zn(2+) at 5 ppm provided protection to the plant under saline conditions by reducing the Na(+):K(+) ratio in the shoot. The shoot nitrogen content with 5 ppm Zn(2+) and 20 ppm phosphate was equal to that of a non-saline control. No significant effect on nitrogenase activity was observed.