Impact of Salt Stress on Physiological and Yield Parameters of Mung Bean (Vigna radiata)

Abstract

Soil salinity is an escalating challenge in arid and semi-arid regions, threatening agricultural productivity and food security. Mung bean (Vigna radiata), a vital legume crop, is particularly sensitive to salt stress, which adversely affects its growth, physiological processes, and yield. This study investigates the effects of varying salinity levels on key physiological traits, including photosynthesis, relative water content, and chlorophyll content, as well as yield parameters such as the number of pods and seed weight. The experiment was conducted at the Botanical Garden and Botany Laboratories of A.I. Jat H.M. College, Rohtak, the experiment exposed mung bean plants to different NaCl concentrations, with data collected at 30 and 60 days after sowing (DAS) for physiological traits and at harvest for yield, under controlled conditions, exposing mung bean plants to different NaCl concentrations, with physiological and yield data collected at critical growth stages. Findings reveal significant declines in photosynthetic efficiency, water retention, and chlorophyll levels under high salinity, correlating with reduced pod numbers and seed weight. These results underscore the vulnerability of mung bean to salt stress and highlight the need for targeted interventions, such as salt-tolerant cultivars or improved soil management practices. Understanding these impacts is crucial for developing sustainable agricultural strategies to mitigate salinity effects and ensure crop resilience in salt-affected regions.