The Effect of Seed Position in Pod on The Seed Viability of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)

Mochammad Muchlish Adie,Ayda Krisnawati,Ratri Tri Hapsari

doi:10.15294/biosaintifika.v11i1.17730

Mochammad Muchlish Adie, Ayda Krisnawati + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.15294/biosaintifika.v11i1.17730

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Abstract

In Indonesia, cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) is widely cultivated in the dry climate area. Famers used the seeds from previous plants or traditional markets. The aims of the study were to determine the effect of seed position in the pods on seed viability and to study the seed and seedling characteristics regarding the genetic variation and seed position. The cowpea used in this study was from 18 Indonesian local varieties. Twenty-five matured pods were randomly detached from each variety. Each pod was divided into three parts, i.e. the lower third (base), the middle third, and the upper third (tip). The seeds of each part were germinated using sand media to evaluate their viability. Each local variety has different response to the percentage of seed viability in each seed position in the pod. The highest abnormal germination occurred in the seed from lower part of the pod, followed by seed in the middle of the pod and the tip of the pod. The variation of seed viability in pods was more determined by genetic differences in local varieties. The average seed viability from three parts of the pods was highest for seeds originated from local varieties of Lumajang and Sampang. Therefore, it is recommended that the seeds of both local varieties can be mixed to be used for optimum cowpea cultivation.

Highlights

Cowpea is a legume plant that widely grown in various tropical and sub-tropical regions
Seed viability is defined as the ability of the embryo to germinate, and is affected by a number of different conditions, whereas seed vigour is the sum of those properties of the seed which determine the level of activity and performance of the seed or seed lot during germination and seedling emergence (Tekrony, 2003; Shaban, 2013; El-Abady, 2014)
Analysis of variance (ANOVA) The results of analysis of variance (ANOVA) on several germination characteristics of local cowpea varieties showed an interaction between the seed position and the seed viability

Summary

Introduction

Cowpea is a legume plant that widely grown in various tropical and sub-tropical regions. This plant has high adaptation to various environments and considered as drought tolerant (Mahalakshmi et al, 2007). One of the problems of cowpea productivity is the low plant population in the field. This is due to the absence of seed producers, the farmers use seeds from previous plants or buy seeds in the local market. The use of high-quality seed is important, which to reduces production costs, and to obtain uniform crop performance and ideal plant populations. The seed quality is reflected by their ability to grow simultaneously, uniformly and have a vigorous plant especially at the beginning of growth (Nautiyal et al, 2000; Chachalis et al, 2008; Hapsari & Trustinah, 2017)

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