Impact of Seed Size on the Seedling Vigour, Dry Matter Yield and Oil Content of Jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.)

Abstract

Seed size is a trait of the plant that affects seed germination and seedling survival. This study aims to assess the growth response of J. curcas to different seed sizes. A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of J. curcas seed sizes on the seedling vigour and seed component. The seeds were fractioned into three sizes visually into: large, medium and small and by 1000 seeds weight (SW). Seedling vigour was assessed by: germination % (G%), seedling length cm (SL), seedling vigour index, SVI, seedling growth rate, SGR, and speed of germination, SOG as well as proportion of cake, shell and oil content (OC) expressed as% of the seed. Results obtained shows that G% and the SOG were not affected by seed sizes but by other factors within the seed. However, seedling vigour expressed as SL, SVI and SGR increased significantly (P ≤ 0.05) with increase in seed sizes. Proportion of cake, shell and oil component of J. curcas seeds increased with increasing seed sizes while 60% of the seed is made up of the cake from where the oil is extracted. Dry matter yield, DMY significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased with increase in seed size from 6.41 g/plant in large seeds to 2.61 g/plant in small seeds. There is positive and strong significant correlation between, SW and DMY (r = 0.91**), yield increase (r = 0.82**), OC (r = 0.85**), % cake (r = 0.94**). Findings revealed that larger seed had higher potential of producing vigorous plants with eventual high crop yield and higher OC.

Comparative seed germination, morphology and post-seminal development of two Bromeliaceae species with ornamental potential

“…Another important factor to be considered in germination is the seed size. It is an important indicator of physiological quality and is commonly used in the production of seedlings of various plant species (Adebisi et al, 2013;Makinde, Oyekale, & Daramola, 2020;Oyewole & Patience, 2020). Size can also influence the germination and vigor of seeds, and the performance of their lots, which can lead to a lack of homogeneity (Pádua, Zito, Arantes, & Franca Neto, 2010).…”

Screening of African Yam Bean Accessions for Imbibition and Seed Physiological Quality

“…Accessions ENAGag, ENAGmg 1 and ENAGmg 2 had comparative larger seeds than other accessions and showed similarities in their performances across the tests indicating that they were of a similar genetic background. Seed size is an important physical indicator of seed quality that affects seed germination, emergence, seedling survival, plant growth and performance of the crop in the field (Adebisi et al, 2013;Makinde, Oyekale, & Daramola, 2020). The outstanding performances of large-seeded accessions can be attributed to their higher reserve content.…”

Yield Potential Of Indonesian Jatropha New Variety (Jet-1 Agribun) Under Rainfed Condition

“…The average seed weight of Jet-1 Agribun was 65.41 g for 100 seeds, higher than reported by Heliyanto et al, (2020), an average of 100 seed weight was 60.101+0.330 g from different accessions in Indonesia. Makinde et al (2020) categorized Jatropha seeds into large seeds with 71.79 g, medium seeds with 65.29 g, and small seeds with 50.51 g of 100 seeds, for use in the assessment of seedling vigor, dry matter yield, and oil content. Based on this seed weight category, the average seed weight obtained from this study was considered medium seed weight.…”