Effects of salinity on the germination and seedling characteristics of cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.]

Abstract

Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.], a species with wide adaptation in arid and semi-arid zones, is grown from green seeds and pods, and is tolerant to salinity. It is a hardy species capable of developing in soils of low fertility. In this study, the effects of different salinities and different submersion times on the germination and weight of seeds of cowpea treated previously were evaluated. The effect of irrigation with saline solutions on seedling shoot length and dry weight, stem height and dry weight, total dry weight, and leaf area was also studied. The results show that the weight of pre-treated seeds decreases linearly when submersion times were increased. Germination decreased quadratically when submersion times and salinity increased. Seedling total dry weight, leaf area, shoot length and dry weight, stem height and dry weight all decreased quadratically significantly when salinity increased.