COMPARATIVE QUANTIFICATION OF MINERAL HOMEOSTASIS IN SALINITY-STRESSED COWPEA (VIGNA UNGUICULATA (L.) WALP.) CV. KONKAN SAFED INDUCED BY SODIUM SALTS

Paper Title

COMPARATIVE QUANTIFICATION OF MINERAL HOMEOSTASIS IN SALINITY-STRESSED COWPEA (VIGNA UNGUICULATA (L.) WALP.) CV. KONKAN SAFED INDUCED BY SODIUM SALTS

Abstract

Mineral homeostasis is essential for normal growth, enzyme activity and stress tolerance in crop plants. The present study evaluated changes in iron (Fe), phosphorus (P) and chloride (Cl) content in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) Cultivated variety Konkan Safed exposed to neutral sodium chloride (NaCl; 10mM, 20mM and 40 mM), alkaline sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃; 6mM, 9mM and 13 mM) and sodium sulphate (Na₂SO₄; 10mM, 20mM and 30 mM) at 21 days after sowing. Iron increased in roots under all salt treatments, with the highest value recorded under 9 mM NaHCO₃. Phosphorus increased in shoots under NaHCO₃ and Na₂SO₄ but declined in roots at higher salt levels. Chloride accumulation was most pronounced under NaCl, particularly in roots and leaves. The results suggest that cowpea regulates mineral distribution in an organ-specific manner, with roots acting as a major site of iron accumulation and chloride retention under salinity stress.
KEYWORDS : Cowpea, mineral homeostasis, iron, phosphorus, chloride, salinity, NaCl, NaHCO₃, Na₂SO₄