International Science Community Association Research Journal of Chemical Sciences 2231-606X 9 3 2019 07 18 Cowpea emergence response to cadmium stress 17 23 EN Iwuozor Kingsley Ogemdi 1 Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria Ekpunobi Emmanuel Chidubem 2 Department of Microbiology, Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria Emuobosa Gold 3 Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria Beckley Ikhajiagbe 1 Environmental Biotechnology and Sustainability Research Group, Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, University of Benin, Nigeria Kadesh Ignatius Osayamen 2 Environmental Biotechnology and Sustainability Research Group, Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, University of Benin, Nigeria Ohanmu E.O. 1 Department of Biological Sciences, Edo University Iyamho, Nigeria and Environmental Biotech and Sustainability Research Group, Dept of Plant Biology and Biotech, University of Benin, Nigeria Ikhajiagbe B. 2 Environmental Biotech and Sustainability Research Group, Dept of Plant Biology and Biotech, University of Benin, Nigeria Anoliefo G.O.2 3 Environmental Biotech and Sustainability Research Group, Dept of Plant Biology and Biotech, University of Benin, Nigeria > Research Paper 2019 2 2 2019 07 18 Cadmium been the utmost prominent and extensively distributed heavy metal in Nigeria soils. This study investigated the emergence of cowpea accessions (TVu-91,92,93,95 and 96) to cadmium stress in Nigeria soils. The experimental setup consisted of 3 treatments namely 0ESV, 2.5ESV and 5ESV (Ecological Screening Value) and the following parameters were taken; time to 50% emergence, height of emergence, hypocotyl length, terminal leaf breadth and length, fresh and dry weight matter. Cadmium caused a significant decrease in the studied parameter. In TVu-91, cadmium pollution resulted to 2-days delay in time to 50% emergence between the control and 5ESV. The emergence height of TVu-93 sown in Cd-5ESV was 10.67cm as compared to 12.10cm in the control, the hypocotyl length was also reduced from 3.7 to 2.3cm with increased concentration. Terminal leaf length and breadth followed similar trend of reduction. However, the various accessions responded differently as there were insignificantly difference observed in the emergent height of TVu-93 between the treatments. In conclusion, although cadmium pollution reduced the emergence productivity of cowpea accession, however its effect varied within the accessions. This suggests that the presence of the genetic makeup of the individual accessions have the ability to withstand cadmium stress. Copyright@ International Science Community Association