Salicylic Acid Induced Alteration in Growth and Physiological Attributes of Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] Cultivars Grown Under Salinity Stress

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,