The objective of this study was to analyse the early development of two cultivars of the pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.), namely IAC-Fava Larga (C1), ICP-7035 (C3) and the inbred line IAC-87318 (C2), at 14, 28 and 42 days after sowing (DAS). The experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions, and the following characteristics were evaluated: height (cm), leaf number, leaf area (dm²), root density (cm/cm³ of soil), and dry mass (g) of the stems, leaf blades and roots. The experiment was conducted under a completely randomized design with three replications. The means of growth of the cultivars were compared by Tukey's test, at each sampling date. Cultivar C2 presented the highest growth of the root system at 14, 28 and 42 DAS. Cultivars C3 and C1 presented less vigorous seedlings, with fewer roots. The roots of C1, C2 and C3, were 60cm deep at 14 DAS, and the roots of C2 and C3 reached 100cm at 42 DAS.
seedlings; roots; legume; growth; forrage