TY - JOUR AU - IKHAJIAGBE, Beckley AU - MUSA, Saheed I. PY - 2020/09/29 Y2 - 2024/03/29 TI - The effects of salicylic acid on the germination and early seedling growth of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) JF - Notulae Scientia Biologicae JA - Not Sci Biol VL - 12 IS - 3 SE - Research articles DO - 10.15835/nsb12310777 UR - https://www.notulaebiologicae.ro/index.php/nsb/article/view/10777 SP - 683-692 AB - <p style="text-align: justify;">This study investigated the effects of salicylic acid (SA) on the germination and early seedling growth of Pigeon pea (<em>Cajanus cajan</em> L., Fabaceae). Pigeon pea were sown in soils containing 5 mg/l, 10 mg/l, 20 mg/l, 30 mg/l and 50 mg/l SA and a control (0 mg/l). The treatment was applied to the plant for 6 weeks from the day of planting. It was observed that the leaflet area increased more in plants that received SA treatment in low concentration (0 mg/l, 5 mg/l, 10 mg/l and 20 mg/l) than in those with higher concentration (30 mg/l and 50 mg/l). The same result was obtained in the total chlorophyll content of the leaves and in average height of the plant (p&lt;0.05). It was also observed that the number of leaves formed were more in plant that had little SA concentration. However, it was also discovered that at concentration below 10 mg/l, the growth promoting effect of SA declined. The study presents supporting evidence that optimum SA concentration required for maximum seed germination and early seedling growth in <em>C. cajan</em> is 20 mg/l. This finding will act as guide in the application of SA treatment in growing <em>C. cajan</em>.</p> ER -