Influence of Seed Priming on Early Stages Growth of Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] Grown under Salt Stress Conditions

The study was carried out to assess the effect of seed priming to enhance salt tolerance in Algerian Maghreb Cowpea. Seeds of two cowpea landraces (A18 and TZ2) were soaked for 4 h at 25 degrees C in the dark in distilled water (hydropriming) or 80 mM of NaCl, 80 mM of CaSO4 or 80 mM of CaCl2 (halopriming) separately. Untreated seeds were taken as control (unprimed seeds). Seeds were germinated under three salinity levels (0 (distilled water), 85 mM and 170 mM of NaCl). In general, germination traits of cowpea landraces decreased with increased salinity levels, however, seed priming significantly increased germination percentage, speed of germination, final germination percentage, radical length, hypocotyl length, epicotyl lengh and induced better vigour index under saline and nonsaline conditions as compared to the unprimed seed. Hydropriming, or halopriming with NaCl 80 mM or CaSO4 80 mM proved to be effective methods.