Potencial fisiológico de genótipos de sementes de Vigna unguiculata submetidos ao estresse salino

Abstract

The cowpea V. unguiculata is one of the most adaptable, versatile and nutritious legume species. Being an important food and an essential component of production in dry climatic regions of the tropics and in parts of Asia, United States of America, Middle East and Central and South America. It is estimated that in the State of Maranhão the cultivated area is about 589.5 thousand hectares. Despite the relevance, it is estimated that by 2050, 20% of agricultural areas, due to the salinization of the soil and / or water. For this reason, some cowpea cultivars still require scientific studies as to the germination capacity of seeds under stress. Thus, the objective was to evaluate the physiological potential of V. unguiculata seeds, tolerant to salinity, selecting the genotypes with greater resistance to NaCL. In the evaluation, three cowpea seed genotypes were used: butter, purple and macassar, submitted to the following levels of osmotic potential: 0, 200, 400, 600 and 800 mM NaCl / L-1. The seeds were evaluated for water content, germination tests, first germination count, germination speed index. The germination tests, first germination count, germination speed index are efficient in assessing the physiological potential of cowpea seed lots, providing sufficient information to allow selection of genotypes adapted to overcome restrictive factors, such as salinization , and to facilitate producers access to quality seeds that can increase productivity