Germination and seedlings development of the butterfly pea as influenced salinity

Abstract

The Butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea L.) has proven to be one of the forage species, among tropical legumes with potential for cultivation in the semiarid region, both for rotational grazing, protein bank, green forage, hay. In this context, this aimed evaluate the salt stress effects on germination and seedling vigor of the Butterfly pea. The work was conducted at the Seeds Laboratory and at the Nursery Department of Technology and Social Sciences, University of Bahia State, the city of Juazeiro State of Bahia, Brazil, from August to September 2009. . Seeds of Butterfly pea produced in the experimental field of Embrapa Semiarid in the city of Petrolina-PE were used. This study was led with the objective of evaluate the saline stress effect over germination and seedlings development of the butterfly pea. The experimental design was completely randomized, with seven solutions of NaCl, in the concentrations of electrical conductivity in water of the 0; 2; 4; 6; 8; 10 and 12dS/m with four repetitions. Salinity affects the germination parameters and vigor with different intensities. Therefore, the concentration incrase of NaCl interfere, on the process of germination and seedling development of the butterfly pea, with marked effects at 2 dS/m concentrations.