Abstract

An experiment was conducted to investigate differences and the relationships among seed physiological characters among eight genotypes of bambara. The work was carried out at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta; both the laboratory and field trials in the year 2010. Data were collected on seed germination at 4th, 7th and 20th day; mean germination time, rate of germination and potential seed longevity characters in the laboratory. Field emergence, seedling fresh and dry weights were determined in the field. Data were analyzed using Tukey HSD test at 5% probability level and correlation among characters were also determined. The findings from the study revealed significant differences in seed germination at 20th day, plumule length, potential seed longevity, rate of germination, seedling fresh and dry weight, mean germination time, seedling vigour and field emergence, among the eight genotypes. Genotypes NGB/06/120-VI, NGB/06/121 and NG/MR/MAY/09/008 were identified to have recorded distinct seed germination, plumule length, potential seed longevity, high to moderate rate of germination, seedling vigour and seedling growth characters but had high mean germination time of 9-13 days. Genotypes NGB/04/012-II and NGB/06/18 had poor germination, suggesting seed dormancy. These three genotypes would be useful as parents in seed improvement programme. Positive strong relationships were observed among the three germination counts, and these traits had positive and strong relationships with plumule length, index rate of germination, seedling dry weight and mean germination time. Also the relationship of seedling dry weight and mean germination time with index rate of germination was positive and strong. Similarly at the three germination counts rate of germination and mean germination had strong and positive relationships with field emergence, seedling vigour index and potential seed longevity traits. These seed quality traits should be given due consideration in any seed improvement programme.