Phenotypic Variation in Seed Morphochemical and Seedling Traits in Four Chinese Provenances of Xanthoceras sorbifolium

Abstract

Variability in seed and seedling traits of Xanthoceras sorbifolium Bunge was evaluated at the population level. Seed samples were collected from four provenances in China and examined for variations in morphometric traits, chemical components, and seedling growth in the nursery stage. There were significant differences in the seed length, width, dry weight, 1000-seed weight, oil concentration, Mg and Cu concentrations, root biomass, and root–stem biomass ratio. The largest seed in terms of size and weight was from Ongniud Banner, Inner Mongolia (OB), but these seeds also had the lowest seed oil concentration. At the end of the first growing season in the nursery, seedlings stopped growing one month earlier in height than in diameter. The provenance difference in height was significant at the first 2 months after sowing but disappeared later. Genotypic variance (Vg) was found to be higher than corresponding environmental (Ve) variance for seed length, seed width, seed dry weight, 1000-seed weight, diameter, and root biomass, indicating that these parameters were strongly inherited and there was ample scope for improvement. Moreover, correlations between seed and seedling traits and climatic and geographical factors were assessed. Some significant intercharacter correlations were found, such as between seed length, width and seed weight, between oil concentration and seed size, and between seedling height, diameter, and root biomass. Combining the seed- and seedling-related parameters, our results indicated that Mulei, Xinjiang (ML) may be used as an ideal material for a further improvement program.