Screening of Blackgram (Vigna mungo L.) Genotypes for Salt Tolerance at the Vegetative Stage

Soil salinity is a major abiotic stress that limits agricultural productivity, especially in arid and semi-arid regions where irrigation is essential. Black gram (Vigna mungo L.), an important pulse crop in Southeast Asia, is particularly sensitive to saline conditions. Identification of salt-tolerant genotypes is therefore essential to sustain production in salt-affected areas. The present study aimed to screen seven black gram genotypes at the vegetative stage under controlled pot culture conditions. Salinity stress was imposed at three levels (0, 50, and 100 mM NaCl) in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Growth and physiological parameters, viz., plant height, number of leaves, shoot and root biomass, relative water content, chlorophyll content, injury score, and survival percentage, were recorded. The results indicated a significant reduction in all the traits under salinity, with marked genotypic variability. Vamban (VBN) 8 and VBN 10 showed better growth, higher RWC and SPAD values, and superior survival percentage under salinity, while ADT 6 and KKM 1 were highly susceptible. The study concludes that VBN 8 and VBN 10 can be promising donors for future breeding programs and potential cultivars in salt-affected environments.