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Salt Tolerance of Cowpea Genotypes During Seed Germination and Seedling Growth

Md. Mozahidul Islam
Department of Crop Botany, Bangladesh Agricultural University

Md. Sabibul Haque
Department of Crop Botany, Bangladesh Agricultural University

AKM Golam Sarwar
Department of Crop Botany, Bangladesh Agricultural University

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) is one of the most important grain legumes worldwide and its production is affected by increasing soil salinity due to global climate change. An experiment was conducted at the Plant Physiology Laboratory of the Department of Crop Botany, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh to evaluate the germination capability of seven cowpea genotypes under salt stress. The germination test was carried out in Petri dishes following two factorial CRD with three replications. Seven cowpea genotypes viz, Red Pine, Green Super, Hai Jiang San Hao, Kegornatki, Kegornatki Green, Kegornatki HYV & Kegornatki Red; and three salt levels viz, 0, 6 & 12 dSm^-1, were used as experimental treatments. The germination percentage (GP), mean germination time (MGT), radicle and plumule length, radicle and plumule fresh and dry weight and different stress tolerance indices were recorded to screen the genotypes for salt tolerance. The study highlighted that salt concentrations drastically reduced seed germination and significantly delayed the process in all genotypes. The GP, length and biomass of radicle and plumule and salt tolerance indices were significantly decreased while the MGT was significantly increased with increasing salt stress in all cowpea genotypes. A significant variation among the genotypes in response to salt stress was also observed. Among the seven cowpea genotypes, Hai Jiang San Hao and Green Super showed higher salt tolerance in comparison to the other genotypes based on the measured traits; these genotypes can be used for further breeding program and/or cultivation in coastal saline prone areas with further investigation.

Keywords: Cowpea, Salt stress, Seed germination, Plant biomass, Stress tolerance index

Location: Plant Physiology laboratory, Department of Crop Botany, Bangladesh Agricultural University

Start Date: 00-00-2017

End Date:

Program Area: Risk Management in Agriculture

Commodity: Cowpea

Objectives:

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of salt stress on germination and seedling growth of seven cowpea genotypes with a view to a better understanding of the mechanisms and capability of salt tolerance in these genotypes.

Methodology:

The experiment was conducted in the Plant Physiology laboratory, Department of Crop Botany, Bangladesh Agricultural University in 2017. The seeds of seven cowpea genotypes viz. Red Pine, Green Super, Hai Jiang San Hao, Kegornatki, Kegornatki Green, Kegornatki HYV and Kegornatki Red were collected from different seed companies in Bangladesh and China. A two factorial experiment was set following completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. The experimental factors were i) cowpea genotypes (seven) and ii) salt stress (three levels; 0, 6 and 12 dSm^–1). The seven genotypes were randomly assigned to seven Petri dishes (9 cm diameter of which each Petri dish contained 10 seeds of each genotype following three replicates). Therefore, a total of 63 Petri dishes were required for the experiment. Three salt treatments i.e. 0 (control), 6 and 12 dSm^–1 were obtained by dissolving NaCl in the solution until the treatment level reached to the desired EC. An EC meter was used to check the desired EC regularly. The control i.e. 0 dSm^–1 was maintained using distilled water only. The cowpea seeds were sterilized with 5% sodium hypochlorite for 30 min and washed thoroughly with distilled water. The seeds were then soaked in water and imbibed for 24 h and then placed in Petri dishes containing filter paper to allow them for germination. In control, 4 mL of distilled water was added to the Petri dish. Filter papers were moistened with 4 mL of respective salt solutions to develop the respective level of salt treatments (6 dSm^–1 and 12 dSm^–1). The cowpea seeds were allowed to germinate at around 25°C room temperature and kept them for eight days for observation. The number of germinated seeds (2 mm radicle length) was counted every day. The final count was done on day eight and germination percentage (GP) was calculated using the following formulae.

Source of Information: J Bangladesh Agril Univ 17(1): 39–44, 2019

Article Link (Online Journal): https://doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v17i1.40661

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The study revealed a considerable variation in salt tolerance among the studied cowpea genotypes at the germination level. The GP, radicle and plumule length, plant biomass and different salt tolerant indices (GSTI, PHSI, RLSI, SFSI, RFSI, SDSI and RDSI) were decreased significantly with increasing salinity while the mean germination time (MGT) increased significantly with the increase of salinity. The results indicated that under all evaluated condition, Hai Jiang San Hao and Green Super genotypes were found to be most tolerant to salt stress than other genotypes. The variability of genotypes to salt stress can be used later in breeding programs associated with the identification of molecular markers linked to salt tolerance in cowpea. Further study will be needed to assess whether these genotypes characterized at the germination level as tolerant based on their responses to salt stress maintain their tolerance at other growth and developmental stages.

Knowledge Management: Journal