Carbendazim alleviates effects of water stress on chickpea seedlings

Abstract

Carbendazim (methyl-2-benzimidazole carbamate) promoted root growth of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) seedlings subjected to polyethylene glycol (PEG, osmotic potential -0.5 MPa) induced water stress. The relative water content, membrane stability index, 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride reduction and contents of some osmolytes (proline, sucrose, glucose and fructose) enhanced significantly while the contents of lipid peroxides and hydrogen peroxide diminished effectively by addition of 0.05 % carbendazim into PEG solution.