Variability in seed- and seedling-related traits of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Millettia ferruginea</Emphasis>, a potential agroforestry species |
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Authors: | Abraham Loha Mulualem Tigabu Demel Teketay |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Tropical Silviculture and Seed Laboratory, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umea, 901 83, Sweden;(2) Forest Stewardship Council, African Regional Office (FSC Africa), 4 Asoyi Road, East Legon UPO LPMB 11, Legon, Accra, Ghana |
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Abstract: | Millettia ferruginea (Hochst.) Baker is a potential agroforestry species endemic to Ethiopia. No documented information exists about genetic variation
in this species, thus baseline information is needed to initiate improvement program. Here, we quantified variations in seed
size, germination and seedling growth at nursery stage based on seeds collected from six sites across the natural range of
distribution of the species in Ethiopia. All seed- and seedling-related traits exhibited highly significant differences among
seed sources (P < 0.01), and the magnitude of genetic variation was substantially higher (77–99%) than the environmental variation. The genetic
advance as percent of the mean was higher for germination capacity (69.4%) and seed weight (31.7%) than for other traits,
suggesting that the population means for these traits may be changed considerably by selecting the superior 5% of the genotypes.
There were strong phenotypic (rp = 0.81) and genotypic (rg = 0.89) correlations between seed width and seed weight, so also between seedling height and root collar diameter (rp = 0.95 and rg = 1.00). In conclusion, the results reveal the existence of substantial genetic variation, which can be utilized to initiate
tree improvement program of the species and for gene conservation in seed banks.
In memory of the late Abraham Loha, who passed away during the writing process. |
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Keywords: | Ethiopia Germination Gene conservation Seed size Tree improvement |
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