STM Article Repository

The study examined the effect of drought stress on the growth and development of twenty three (23) varieties of cowpea (Vigna unguiculat (L.) Walp.) at seedling stage. The study was conducted in Nigeria at the screen house of International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Kano Station, during 2013 and 2014 growing season. The twenty three cowpea varieties were planted in wooden boxes and well-watered. After the emergence of first trifoliate leaves, the watering was suspended and after eight days of moisture stress, growth data was collected on plant height, number of leaves, wilting, stems greenness and recovery percentages. The result of the study clearly showed that plant height, number of leaves and stem greenness were all affected by drought stress. It was found that five (5) varieties including Kanannado, Dan-ila, IT07K-297-13, IT03K-378-4 and Aloka local were found to be highly tolerant to drought, also six (6) varieties which include IT07K-322-40, IT07K-313-41, IT07K-291-92, IT06K-270, IT07K-244-1-1 and IT06K-275 were classified as highly susceptible to drought and the remaining twelve (12) varieties IT07K-187-55, IT97K-461-4, IT07K-292-10, IT06K-111, IT07K-293-3, IT07K-299-6, IT07K-298-15, IT07K-243-1-10, IT04K-227-4, IT07K-318-2, IT04K-267-8 and IT97K-568-19 were found to be neither tolerant nor susceptible to drought.