Response of Cowpeas to Salinity and (2‐Chloroethyl) trimethyl‐ammonium Chloride (CCC)

Abstract

Recent investigations have demonstrated that the growth retardant, (2‐chloroethyl) trimethyl‐ammonium chloride (CCC) inhibits several aspects of vegetative growth. In solution culture experiments, reduction in plant growth and dry matter production was confirmed in cowpeas, Vigna unguiculata L, (cv. Makueni II), when treated with CCC. The growth retardant had negligible effect on the rate of transpiration per unit leaf area although it slightly increased the relative water content of leaves. Stomatal opening was suppressed by CCC treatment but the number of stomata per unit leaf area was increased by the growth retardant. Variations in mineral element content (K, Ca, N and Na) of shoots are presented and discussed in relation to CCC treatment.

OSMOREGULATION IN HIGHER PLANTS: EFFECTS OF NaCl SALINITY ON NON‐NODULATED PHASEOLUS AUREUS L. I. GROWTH AND MINERAL CONTENT

“…Young plants exhibited a significant ability to adapt osmotically to a high NaClg^t concentration since full turgidity was maintained in all sets. However, all measured growth parameters were adversely affected beyond SO mM NaClgxt-Our results are in good general agreement with those observed for leguminous plants by others like Balasubramanian and Sinha (1976), Imbamba (1973), Subba Rao et al (1972, Wilson (1970). However, in all these cases, NaCI stress was applied several days after germination so that strict comparisons cannot he made.…”

“…Leguminous plants occupy a special position in that any imbalance in the environment is likely to impair N-fixation. This has heen shown hy several authors including Balasuhramanian and Sinha (1976), Sprent (1973), Imbamba (1973), Subba Rao et al (1972), Helal and Mengal (1981). Despite these studies, information is lacking as to the adaptation of grain legumes to relatively high salinity and subsequent effects on growth and accumulation of different organic and inorganic solutes.…”

The salt tolerance ofRhizobiumstrains and lentil genotypes and the effect of salinity on aspects of symbiotic N-fixation

“…The sensitivity of root growth to saline conditions could not only affect the development of roots but also disturb plant metabolism (Bernstein & Ogata, 1966;Hamissa, 1972;Imbamba, 1973). Tables 1 and 3 show that the growth of BhizGbium strains and dry-matter yield of lentil genotypes decreased markedly with increase in NaCl but equal tolerance was not obtained in all the Rhizobium strains and genotypes.…”

Chemotaxis of salt-tolerant and sensitiveRhizobiumstrains to root exudates of lentil (LensculinarisL.) genotypes and symbiotic N-fixation, proline content and grain yield in saline calcareous soil

“…This investigation clearly indicates that the reason for failure could be improper establishment of wild rhizobia in saline soil. The sensitivity of root growth to saline conditions could not only affect the development of roots but also disturb plant metabolism (Bernstein & Ogata, 1966;Hamissa, 1972;Imbamba, 1973). Tables 1 and 2 show that the growth of Rhizobium, strain and dry-matter yield of lentil genotypes (Table 7) decreased markedly with increase in NaCl and salinization, but equal tolerance was not obtained in all the Rhizobium strains and lentil genotypes.…”