Department of Botany, Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125004
Seedlings of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) var. HFC 42-1 were presoaked either in water or in 500 and 1000 ppm of B9 solutions and were subsequently placed for germination in 15 and 45 me salt solutions in the dark. In addition seeds were also placed directly in salt solutions to which B9 was added. After 48 h, amylase activity, and the contents of starch and soluble carbohydrates in the cotyledons and embryo axis were determined. The level of starch and amylase activity was much less in the embryo axis than in the cotyledons. Application of B9 and salinity decreased the amylase activiy, depletion of starch and accumulation of soluble carbohydrates in the cotyledons. The effect of both in combination was cumulative. Presoaking either in water or B9 solution decreased the soluble carbohydrate content of cotyledons. Application of B9 by either method resulted in an increase in the soluble carbohydrates in the embryo axis regardless of the salinity conditions.
