Procurement of seeds
Seeds of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata cv. Pant 1042) were obtained
from the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Banasthali University,
Rajasthan. Seeds were surface sterilized by immersing the seeds in
0.1% of HgCl2 prepared in sterile d.w. for 3 min. These seeds were
rinsed with sterile d.w. for 3–4 times and then blotted on a sterile
filter paper, dried and kept for further use. All the steps were
carried out taking all possible aseptic measures in laminar air flow
(LAF).