Research Article

**The Germination Biology and Pattern of Growth in Eight Solanum species Found Endemic in Nigeria**

The existence of diverse morphotypes and the constantly expanding genome have made evolutionary assessment of members of the Solanum group difficult. The different patterns of seedling growth following germination provide a set of diagnostic tools for analysing the degree of relatedness among these species. Subsequently, species rate and percentage germination and the developmental patterns of seedlings to 10th leaf stage were assessed. In the control, the germination rate and percentages were 0.94 (85%) and 0.09 (80%) for Solanum gilo and S. melongena Golden, respectively. The latter species had a significant increase in rate of germination from 0.09 to 0.11 and 0.89, respectively in the control, 1% KMnO₄ dilution and mechanical scarification while no significant increase was observed in all the concentrations of colchicine. The radicles emerged 4 days after soaking and cotyledons were fully spread 3-5 days after and subsequently dropped from 8 days of growth. The first three leaves were elliptic and pinnately veined, initiated in bud from 14 days of radicle growth and were shed after 12 days of growth. The 4th and subsequent leaves were initiated in buds from 18-20 days of radicle growth, revealed the net venation and lobbing of margins characteristic of members of the genus and their growth was indeterminate. The lateral buds were initiated in all seedlings and trichome hairs became prominent on the stems of S. scabrum subsp. scabrum from 54 days after radicle growth. The pattern of germination and seedling growth was remarkably similar for all the species. The seed shape, size and colour distinguished the eight species into individuals with ovoid or flattened-reniform seeds which may either be brown, yellow or pale yellow in colour. Flowers were bisexual with exerted styles while few were staminate or short styled with anthers loosely arranged around the styles. The species common ancestry and close evolutionary history were discussed.

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Olatunji Afolabi Oyelana, 2011. The Germination Biology and Pattern of Growth in Eight Solanum species Found Endemic in Nigeria. Journal of Plant Sciences, 6: 143-154.

DOI: 10.3923/jps.2011.143.154

URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=jps.2011.143.154

Journal of Plant Sciences

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Olatunji Afolabi Oyelana

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Research Article

**The Germination Biology and Pattern of Growth in Eight Solanum species Found Endemic in Nigeria**

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