Abstract :
The effect of PEG-4000 induced water stress on germination parameters was studied. Total 5 cowpea varieties (BL-1, BL-2, EC-4216, Kohinoor and Local) were tested for drought tolerance using 0, -0.075, 0.1 and -0.2 MPa osmotic stress and the data was recorded on various seedling parameters like germination energy, mean daily germination, seedling vigor index, seedling distribution and seedling density. The experiment was carried out in three replicates under Complete Randomized Design. Reduction in germination parameters was observed in all varieties at highest level (-0.2 MPa) of PEG solution. All germination parameters of seedlings which were study in present investigation were more negatively affected in case of Kohinoor where as less negatively affected in case of BL-2 when compared with control. Based on the observations it was concluded that verity BL-2 had shown better tolerances under limiting water conditions among the varieties studied.
Keyword :
Cowpea, Germination parameters, PEG-4000, Water stress.