Vigor and tolerance of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) genotypes under salt stress

Abstract

Saline stress is a frequent phenomenon in the arid and semi-arid regions of the globe, affecting the agricultural production of these regions, and it is necessary to use strategies that minimize the impacts of saline stress under agriculture. This requires the incorporation of species, variety and genotypes tolerant to increase agricultural production in those regions. This study aimed to evaluate germination and initial growth of cowpea genotypes under salt stress. The experimental design was completely randomized in 19 x 3 factorial scheme, composed of nineteen cowpea cultivars and three osmotic potentials, with four replicates of 50 seeds each. The germination test lasted for eight days, when the seeds were evaluated for germination percentage, germination speed index, length of shoot and root, accumulation of dry mass of shoot and root. The increase in salinity affected germination and initial growth of the cowpea genotypes. The genotypes 6 - MNCO2-689F-2-8, 10 - MNCO2-675F-4-10, 12 - MNCO3-737F-5-9, 16 - MNCO2-677F-2, 18 - BRS-Pajeú and 19 - Paulistinha exhibited higher tolerance to salt stress in the stage of germination and initial growth. The genotypes 11 - MNCO2-675F-9-5, 13 - BRS-Tumucumaque, 15 - MNCO3-736F-7 and 17 - BR17-Gurgueia were more susceptible to the effects of salt stress in the stage of germination and initial growth.