WITHDRAWN: Variation of seed metrics and germination among landraces and improved varieties of African Nightshade (Solanum spp.) under cold room storage

Abstract

Characteristics of seeds and their interactions with storage conditions are the main determinants of seed longevity during storage. A study conducted by the World Vegetable Center -Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) genebank aimed at understanding the variability of seed metrics of six accessions and lines of African nightshade, Nduruma, Olevolosi, BG 04, and MW 25 which belongs to Solanum scabrum and MW 17 and BG 03 belonging to S. villosum stored for eight and six years. Results showed that on average accession Nduruma had the highest average weight of thousand seeds (1.06g) while MW 17 had the least weight (0.57g). BG stored for 8 years had the highest germination percentage (100%) and MW 17 stored for 8 years had the lowest germination percentage (57.5%). Based on genotype groups, released varieties had a significantly higher weight of 1000 seeds (0.90g) and lower moisture content (2.37%) compared to landraces (0.78g and 2.43% respectively). Weight of thousand seeds had a strong negative relationship with the number of seeds per gram (p < 0.001), R2 = 0.869, r = -0.932). Germination percentage of seed was positively influenced by seed weight (p = 0.112, R2 = 0.233, r = 0.482). As the weight of the seed increases, the number of seeds per gram decreased while germination percentage increased. The parameters analyzed can be used in the characterization of genotypes and species, seed germination, vigor, viability and longevity studies, seeding rate calibration, handling, and selection of seeds.