| ABSTRACT Water is one of the most compromising factors in the germination and initial growth of seedlings, where its restriction causes a reduction in the water potential of cells in addition to causing oxidative stress. Ascorbic acid (AsA) is known to protect organelles and cells against the accumulation of ROS. The aim of this work was to study the effects of ascorbic acid on the conditioning of cowpea seeds subjected to water stress. The seeds of the BRS Marataoã and Setentão genotypes were conditioned at a concentration of 0.0 (control), 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.00 mM AsA, and sown on paper rolls (Germitest®) moistened with mannitol solution at a potential of 0.0 (control), -0.3, -0.6, -0.9 and -1.2 MPa, and stored in a germination chamber (BOD) at 25... |
