Investigation was carried out on the significance of seed size on morphological traits in seedlings of Buchholzia eoriaeea Engler, a medicinal plant in Southwestern Nigeria. Three size classes-large (seeds 〉 40 g),...Investigation was carried out on the significance of seed size on morphological traits in seedlings of Buchholzia eoriaeea Engler, a medicinal plant in Southwestern Nigeria. Three size classes-large (seeds 〉 40 g), medium (seeds between 25 and 40 g) and small (seed 〈 25 g) were used. Ninety uniformly growing seedlings from each size class were assessed for shoot height, number of leaves, collar diameter, leaf area and biomass production for six months. Seed size showed significant effect on height growth, collar diameter and number of leaves (P 〈 0.05). Seedlings from large seed size class had the best height and collar diameter (45.3 cm, 8.7 mm). Seeds of large and medium seed size classes had overall means of 15.6 and 15.5 leaves/seedling respectively. Leaf dry weight, stem dry weight and root biomass in seedlings from the three seed size classes were significantly different at P 〈 0.05 with the highest mean values for leaf dry weight, stem dry weight and root biomass recorded by seedlings from the large seed size class. The results showed that seed size has great influence on seedling growth when they are young. With availability of sufficient nutrient and light, effect of seed size on seedling growth and development could disappear as seedlings attain maturity.展开更多
文摘Investigation was carried out on the significance of seed size on morphological traits in seedlings of Buchholzia eoriaeea Engler, a medicinal plant in Southwestern Nigeria. Three size classes-large (seeds 〉 40 g), medium (seeds between 25 and 40 g) and small (seed 〈 25 g) were used. Ninety uniformly growing seedlings from each size class were assessed for shoot height, number of leaves, collar diameter, leaf area and biomass production for six months. Seed size showed significant effect on height growth, collar diameter and number of leaves (P 〈 0.05). Seedlings from large seed size class had the best height and collar diameter (45.3 cm, 8.7 mm). Seeds of large and medium seed size classes had overall means of 15.6 and 15.5 leaves/seedling respectively. Leaf dry weight, stem dry weight and root biomass in seedlings from the three seed size classes were significantly different at P 〈 0.05 with the highest mean values for leaf dry weight, stem dry weight and root biomass recorded by seedlings from the large seed size class. The results showed that seed size has great influence on seedling growth when they are young. With availability of sufficient nutrient and light, effect of seed size on seedling growth and development could disappear as seedlings attain maturity.