Effect of Nickel on Bio-Physio Parameters on Growth and its Accumulation in Cicer Arietinum L.

Field investigations were conducted on the responses of two varieties of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L) namely Pusa 1103 (Desi variety) and Pusa 1105 (Kabuli variety) at different concentrations of heavy metal (nickel) in soil for diverse 18 traits. Significant increase in the growth was observed at the lower concentrations ranging from 5–25 ug g-1 nickel level. Addition of nickel above this level reduced the leaf area, plant growth, root length and yield of the plant. Accumulation of nickel by both the varieties in different parts of the plants was studied. The control plants had minimum nickel content in the tissues. As the concentration of the soil applied nickel was increased an increase in the content of nickel in root as well as shoot was observed. Fruiting stages showed more severe toxicity symptoms in comparison to the vegetative stages. In both the varieties roots of the plants were found to have higher nickel content than shoots of the plants. Over all Nickel accumulation was found to be higher in Pusa 1103.