Some morphological traits and grain yield of lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) affected by ascorbic acid application and salinity stress

Abstract

In order to investigate the effects of different salinity levels and ascorbic acid application on morphological traits and grain of lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.), an experiment with randomized complete block design in three replications was conducted in 2014 in the greenhouse. Two ascorbic acid levels (Control and application of 50 ppm ascorbic acid) were tested in pot experiment under different salinity levels (0 (control), 4, 8 and 12 dS.m -1 NaCl). Results indicated that salt stress severely reduced morphological traits and grain yield of lentil as compared with control, particularly at high NaCl level (12 dS.m -1 ). Morphological traits of lentil were decreased as a result of salt stress, leading to reductions in plant growth and final grain yield. Ascorbic acid application enhanced the morphological traits and grain yield, but it did not change the harvest index of the salt stressed plants and control treatment. In general, it was become clear that application of seed priming with ascorbic acid in lentil ameliorated the adverse effects of salt stress and improved morphological traits and grain yield of this plant.