Predictors of yield of Lupinus angustifolius (cv. Gungurru) seedlots from different sources in Western Australia

Abstract

The growth and yield of 97 seedlots of Gungurm narrow-leafed lupins (Lupinus angustifolius L.) from Western Australia were assessed to identify geographical source or nutritional and physical parameters in the seed that can be used to predict the yield potential of a seedlot. Seedlots were obtained from the 1990 harvest on farms in the south-western cropping region of Western Australia, with up to 7 seedlots from each of 14 crop variety recommendation areas. Each seed lot was assessed for seed size (mean 144 mg), germination percentage (mean 87%), cucumber mosaic virus seed infection (mean 0.11%), and several seed nutrients. Seedlots were sown at 100 kg/ha (without adjusting for germination or seed size) at 4 sites in Western Australia in 1991. Plant density, shoot dry weight (at 6 weeks), and grain yield varied significantly among seedlots, with average grain yield ranging from 951 to 1478 kg/ha (l.s.d. = 240 kg/ha at P = 0.05). Seed size influenced (P<0.001) stand density (r = -0.33) and shoot dry weight (r = 0.58) but not grain yield (r = 0.09, n.s.). No seed nutrient was more than weakly associated with grain yield, nor was there an association of seedlot yield with geographical source of seed. High germination percentage and low cucumber mosaic virus infection were the main predictors of high grain yield in this experiment, but accounted for only 40% of the yield variance among seedlots.

Effect of Seed Source on Seed Vigour and Field Performance of the Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor. (L.) Moench] Cultivar Taba

“…In spite of its importance as a principal factor in determining crop establishment and performance, little information is available on the effect of seed source on the performance of sorghum. There have been conflicting reports on the effect of seed source and size on growth and grain yield in various crops (Stelling et al 1994;Tapscott and Cowling 1995;Burnett et al 1997;Perin et al 2002;Ahmed 2009). Ahmed (2009) reported that seed source of sorghum has a significant effect on mean plant height, number of leaves/plant, number of tillers/plant, peduncle length, number of heads per plant, number of seeds per head and grain yield, while there were no significant differences due to seed source on mean leaf area per plant.…”

“…Stelling et al (1994) showed that the seed yield of faba bean, but not field pea, was significantly affected by seed source. Tapscott and Cowling (1995), working on lupine, showed that seed source significantly affected seed yield. The objectives of this study were to investigate the influence of seed source on seed quality attributes of the sorghum cultivar "Tabat" and to examine the correlation between the laboratory seed vigour tests and seedling performance under field conditions.…”