The study aimed to evaluate the germination and initial growth of semi-erect cowpea cultivars as a function of water shortfall.The experiment was conducted in experimental area of Federal University of Mato Grosso state, Brazil.Was Install evaluated the germination rate, foliar area, shoot and root dry matter production and diameter of the stem of the BRS Nova Era, BRS Tumucumaque and BRS Imponente, in function of four different water shortfall (0; 4; 8 and 12 days without water.The experiment delineation adopted was a factorial design 3 x 4.
The cultivars BRS Tumucumaque Anti-Gas had a higher number to sprouting seeds, shoot and root dry mass production and diameter of the stem.Perhaps the cultivar BRS Tucmucumaque had a growth sharp decline with 12 days in water shortfall.