Effect of seed maturity and morphotype traits on seed germination of Lannea microcarpa in the dry Sudanian region of Benin

Effect of seed maturity and morphotype traits on seed germination of Lannea microcarpa in the dry Sudanian region of Benin Understanding the effect of seed size and maturity level on their germination capacity is essential to propagate a species effectively. This study assessed variations in seed germination of the indigenous fruit tree species Lannea microcarpa in relation to seed maturity levels and morphotype traits. Three fruit maturity levels (green, green-red, and red-purple fruit) and four morphotypes determined according to fruit and seed morphological characteristics (fruit diameter, fruit mass, seed thickness, seed width and seed weight) were considered. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with three replicates. Germination rate and time to the first germination were computed and analyzed using linear mixed-effect and quasi -Poisson generalized linear models, respectively. The results gave the highest germination rate (82.78 ?? 5.2%, 45 days after sowing) for morphotype 2 (medium sized seed) and the lowest (33.90 ?? 1.49%, 45 days after sowing) for morphotype 3 (larger seeds). The shortest time to the first germination was recorded for morphotype 2 (6.89 ?? 1.08 days after sowing) and the longest (9.96 ?? 3.2 days after sowing) for morphotype 1 (smaller seeds). Seeds from green fruits had a better germination rate than seeds from green-red and red-purple fruits. Considerable variation was also observed between individual trees, which suggests a potential genotype driving-force in seed germination capacity. Our findings suggest that seeds of intermediate size collected from green fruits perform best as regards germination.