Variation in germinative ability and seed dormancy in Senna multijuga

Abstract

To study the genetic variation in seed dormancy and germination of Senna multijuga, a germination trial was undertaken at 33°C, utilizing 60 progenies in 11 populations, with a progenie size per population varying from 2 to 12. Both population and progenies – within-population effects were estimated. The progenies-within-population effects were estimated separately per each population, to avoid lack of variance homogeneity among populations. Variation in seed dormancy and germination between populations, as well as between progenies-within-population was observed. In general, heritabilities (broad sense) were high, varying from 0,78 to 0,98 for seed germination and from 0,78 to 0,99 for seed dormancy.