@article{IKHAJIAGBE_MUSA_2020, title={The effects of salicylic acid on the germination and early seedling growth of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan)}, volume={12}, url={https://notulaebiologicae.ro/index.php/nsb/article/view/10777}, DOI={10.15835/nsb12310777}, abstractNote={<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<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>}, number={3}, journal={Notulae Scientia Biologicae}, author={IKHAJIAGBE, Beckley and MUSA, Saheed I.}, year={2020}, month={Sep.}, pages={683–692} }