Effect of salinity level of irrigation water on cowpea (Vigna Unguiculata) growth

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out to study the effect of different levels of saline water on some cowpea characteristics by using randomized complete block design with three replicates. Plant growth, nutrient concentration and protein content were studied. In addition, some soil chemical properties were investigated. Three levels 0, 2500 and 3500 ppm of saline water (sodium chloride) were used for irrigation in two types of soil. Results indicated that increasing salinity levels significantly decreased plant height, number of leaves, nutrients uptake, protein yield of cowpea, and ions concentration in the soil after harvesting. Vegetative growth was affected by increasing salinity levels of irrigation water. Increase in salinity of irrigation water above 3500 ppm reduced plant height and number of leaves by 38% and 66% respectively in Khabat soil. On the other hand, the result shows that the ions accumulated significantly in soil with increasing water salinity levels. A rapidly increase in chloride concentration was observed with increasing water salinity levels but other ions gradually increase in both soils.