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Vandana Sharma, Jyoti Chaudhary and Ashok Kumar*
Department of Botany, Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut 250002
Email: dr.ashokbotany@gmail.com
Received-24.05.2025, Revised-09.06.2025, Accepted-26.06.2025
Abstract: Soil salinity is the primary constraint on plant growth and affects sustainable agriculture. This study examined the impact of salt stress (NaCl) on cowpea germination and nutritional qualities at varying NaCl concentrations (50 mM,100 mM,150 mM, and 200mM NaCl concentrations) by laboratory bioassay. Germination of cowpea was observed after seven days of bioassay. The study’s findings indicate that both seedling growth and germination rates were impacted by an increase in salt concentrations. Viable and surface-sterilized seeds were chosen to germinate in varying NaCl concentrations and distilled water as a control. The experiment was conducted in a triplet with a control. Final observations were recorded after fifteen days of germination of cowpea. Experimental findings revealed that salt concentration significantly affects the germination and physiological growth of cowpea. Increasing salt concentration also significantly affects protein and total sugar content.
Keywords: Germination, Bio-assay, Salt stress, Seedlings, Nutrients
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