Abstract:
The aim of the present study was to describe the variation that may exist among G. kola seeds collections found in Cameroon and to determine possible established correlations between one or many morpho-biochemical parameters of seeds and germination capacity. Twenty seven accessions of G. kola seeds originating from eleven locations in Cameroon were analyzed based on the variation of their morphological (weight, length and diameter), biochemical (phenols, soluble carbohydrates, proteins and amino acids contents), germination index and germination velocity. Results revealed a significant variation in weight, size, metabolites contents, germination index and germination velocity among the different accessions of seeds. These parameters also varied within samples from the same ecological zone. Significant (p<0.01) and negative correlation were revealed between weight and amino acids content of seeds (r = -0.402) as well as between the length of the seeds and their carbohydrates content (r = -0.479). A significant (p<0.05) and negative correlation was also found between proteins content and germination index of seed (r = -0.442) in one hand and between proteins content and germination velocity (r = -0.364) in another hand. The dendogram generated by cluster classification put together in the same group accessions which performed best germination and members of this group were also characterized by low proteins content. These results indicated that proteins content could serve as a criterion of selection for germination capacity in G. kola seeds. The influence of seed proteins in dormancy and germination is discussed.
G. Kanmegne, H.D. Mbouobda, B. Temfack, E.K. Koffi and D.N. Omokolo, 2010. Impact of Biochemical and Morphological Variations on Germination Traits in Garcinia kola Heckel Seeds Collected from Cameroon. Research Journal of Seed Science, 3: 82-92.
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