Abstract:
Salinity is one of the most severe environmental factors limiting the productivity of
agricultural crops;SA induces a protective effect on plants under certain adverse
environmental conditions.In the present study, the ameliorative role of salicylic acid (SA)
against salt stress in the three culivars of cow pea(Vigna anguiculata, ILRI 9334,ILRI 9333
andILRI 1114), various parameters of plant growth, water status and chlorophyll fluorescence
(Fv/Fm) were analyzed in control and salt-treated (50, 100 and 150 mM NaCl) plants with
and without foliar application of 1mM SA. Results revealed significant differences among the
cultivars, salt-stress treatments, and their interaction, indicating the cultivars' variability and
differential response to salt stress. Salinity stress adversely affected the plant growth, plant
water status and Fv/Fm.These relatively less declinesin growth, water status,relative water
content and Fv/Fm of cultivar ILRI9334exhibits a reasonable tolerant cultivar, while the
other two varieties viz., ILRI1114and ILRI9333proved to be sensitive to salt stress.
Moreover, the combined treatments of salt stress and SA promoted growth, plant water status
and Fv/Fm.In short, salinity hampered the overall performance of cow pea cultivar, but SA
application fortified the salt-tolerance capacity mainly in the cultivarILRI 9334.SA
applicable, may be by activating its defense arsenal, alleviating the membrane injury,
accelerating assimilatory activities and improving plant water status.
Key words/phrase:Biomass,Cowpea accesion, Growth, Maximum quantum yield of PSII,
Tolerance,
