Salinity exerts harmful morphological, physiological, and metabolic effects
on plants. This research aimed to evaluate the effect of salicylic acid (SA
0, 0.75 and 1.5 mM) and calcium chloride (CaCl2 0, 50 and 100 mM), singly or
in combination, on different morphological and physiological characteristics
of chickpeas exposed to salt stress (0, 25 and 75 mM NaCl). The results
showed that the addition of SA or Ca alone improved plant behaviour in the
presence of NaCl. Also, the shoot and root length, dry weight, chlorophyll
and carotenoids decreased under salinity, while malondialdehyde (MDA), the
inhibition of DPPH radical, anthocyanine, and proline increased. However,
the use of SA and Ca combined increased the shoot and root length and the
dry weight, ameliorated the chlorophyll, carotenoids, and reducing sugars,
and significantly reduced MDA and the inhibition of DPPH radical in the
plants. These studies imply that SA and Ca caused a tolerance to NaCl which
may be related to the regulation of antioxidative responses. It may also be
suggested that a concentration of 1.5 mM salicylic acid and a concentration
of 100 mM calcium are the most suitable concentrations to improve the
physiological parameters of chickpeas under salinity conditions. Hence, by
regulating the antioxidant system, SA and Ca play this role.