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International Journal of Plant Breeding and Genetics

Year: 2012 | Volume: 6 | Issue: 1 | Page No.: 32-39
DOI: 10.3923/ijpbg.2012.32.39
Origin and Seed Positional Effect on Sex Ratio of Telfairia occidentalis Hook. F. Grown in Savanna Agro-ecology
C.O. Aremu and D.B. Adewale

Abstract: Female telfairia produce succulent and fleshy leafy vegetables with higher nutritional values than male type and therefore preferred at groceries. There is difficulty in identifying this female telfairia at seed and seedling stages. This research identified effect of seed position and fruit origin on the vigor performance and sex ratio of Telfairia occidentalis. Three seed positions of anterior, middle and posterior sections of fruits sourced from four origins of growth were studied in the nursery and field plots at the teaching and research farm of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria. Vigor index and percentage emergence were highest for seedlings from the anterior portions with fruits sourced from Imo and Ibadan origins. Genotypic Coefficient of Variation (GCV) and Heritability estimate in the broad sense (HB) for branching, foliage, vine length and diameter traits were also high for plants developed from anterior seed positions and therefore can be reliably selected. More female plants were sighted to have developed from the anterior positions with 3:1 and 2:1 female to male proportions for fruits sourced from Imo and Ogbomoso origins. There were difficulties in obtaining exact genetic sex ratios. This is attributed to differences in flowering time in the male and female plants. Fruits sourced from humid environment of Imo state and seeds extracted from anterior position, recorded highest seedling vigor performance and high female to male proportions for the field established plants. These findings affirm the postulation that more female plants develop from anterior seed positions if sourced from humid agro-ecologies.

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How to cite this article
C.O. Aremu and D.B. Adewale, 2012. Origin and Seed Positional Effect on Sex Ratio of Telfairia occidentalis Hook. F. Grown in Savanna Agro-ecology. International Journal of Plant Breeding and Genetics, 6: 32-39.

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