Morphometric characteristics and desiccation response of Opilia amentacea seeds from Burkina Faso

摘要

Seeds of Opilia amentacea from five different provenances in Burkina Faso were evaluated for morphometric characteristics, germination and desiccation behaviour. A randomised sample of 100 fully mature fruits per provenance were measured, and 120 seeds for each provenance/maturity stage used for moisture content (MC) and germination tests. Fruits and seeds from Orodara and Sindou were larger, while fruits and seeds from Niangoloko were the smallest. The physical characteristics of the fruits and seeds are thus impacted by provenance, suggesting that there could be genetic variability in the species. For all provenances, seeds extracted from green-orange and orange fruits had comparable and the highest germination percentage and speed, and those from Orodara and Sindou had the highest germination. The results suggest that (i) O. amentacea fruits could be harvested at the green-orange stage for successful seed production; (ii) there could be a relationship between seed morphometric traits and germination performance; and (iii) seeds from Orodara and Sindou can be recommended for seedling production in nurseries. The drying experiment showed a sharp drop in seed viability and no seed germinated when dried below 15% MC. O. amentacea therefore has recalcitrant seed behaviour with a critical MC between 19 and 15%.