WATER AND SALT STRESSES ON GERMINATION OF COWPEA (Vigna unguiculata cv. BRS Tumucumaque) SEEDS1

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate seeds of cowpea, cultivar BRS Tumucumaque, subjected to different water stresses induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG-6000) and mannitol and different salt stresses induced by NaCl and CaCl2 solutions. The water and salt stresses was evaluated in laboratory using completely randomized experimental designs in 2x6 factorial arrangements, with six osmotic potentials (0.0, -0.2, -0.4, -0.6, -0.8 and -1.0 MPa) and two stress inducers for each experiment, with four replications of 50 seeds. The percentage of germination, germination speed index, root and shoot lengths and seedling fresh weight were evaluated at the tenth day (end of the evaluation period). The simulated water stress showed effects on the cowpea seed germination and seedling initial growth by decreasing the rates of the variables evaluated, which had greater effect in treatments with PEG-6000. The salt stress induced by NaCl showed greater effect on the variables evaluated than that induced by CaCl2, due to the sodium toxicity in the salt chemical composition.