ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Effect of Different Soil Salinity Levels on Certain Biochemical Parameters of Kidney Bean Plants

A pot experiment was designed to find out the effect of various salinity levels (0 – 12 mScm^-1) on total chlorophyll contents, nitrate reductase activity, betaine contents and Na⁺ and K⁺ contents of Kidney bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Results revealed that increasing soil salinity brought about marked reduction in total chlorophyll contents, nitrate reductase activity and K⁺ ion contents. However, Na⁺ ion contents and betaine contents got increased. Both the genotypes perform well up to 4 mScm^-1. At 8 and 12 mScm^-1 electrical conductivity levels the behaviour of them was observed significantly antagonistic demonstrating their susceptibility towards saline conditions.