The effects of salinity on some physiological,Anatomical and biochemical aspects of cowpea (vigna unguiculata (l) walp (legurninosae)

Abstract

Very little work has been done on the physiology cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) and almost nothing so far, on its response to salinity effects. Cowpea being a drought resistant crop is suspected it might also to some extent tolerate salinity. The study was carried out in a transparent polythene covered shade house, using salinized SOlj cultures at, H20, 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 mmhos em-1 salinity levels. Two varieties, Katumani-80 and V ita-l were used for the investigations. Germination experiments showed that Vi ta-l r was poorer in germination in all salt treatments than Katumani-86. growth was also significantly -~~ (P=O.OOl) reduced by increase in salinity. In VitaI, growth was not significantly (P=0.05) affected by 5.0 and 10.0 mmhos em-.}. salinity IeveIs.