Large Seeds Research Articles

Geographic variation in offspring size: Long- and short-term climate affect mean seed mass of Streptanthus populations.

Offspring size is a key functional trait that can affect subsequent life history stages; in many species, it exhibits both local adaptation and phenotypic plasticity. Variation among populations in offspring size may be explained by various factors, including local climatic conditions. However, geographic variation in climate may be partitioned into long‐term and interannual sources of variation, which may differ in their effects on population mean offspring size. To assess environmental correlates of offspring size, we evaluated geographic variation in seed mass among 88 populations representing 6 species of Streptanthus (Brassicaceae) distributed across a broad climatic gradient in California. We examined the effects of temperature‐mediated growing season length and precipitation on population mean seed mass to determine whether it is best explained by (1) long‐term mean climatic conditions; (2) interannual climate anomalies (i.e., deviations in climate from long‐term means) during the year of seed development, or (3) interactions between climate variables. Both long‐term mean climate and climate anomalies in the year of collection were associated with population mean seed mass, but their effects differed in direction and magnitude. Relatively large seeds were produced at chronically wet sites but also during drier‐than‐average years. This contrast indicates that these associations may be generated by different mechanisms (i.e., adaptive evolution vs. phenotypic plasticity) and may be evidence of countergradient plasticity in seed mass. In addition, populations occurring in locations characterized by relatively long growing seasons produced comparatively large seeds, particularly among chronically dry sites. This study highlights the need to consider that the responses of seed mass to long‐term versus recent climatic conditions may differ and that climate variables may interact to predict seed mass. Such considerations are especially important when using these patterns to forecast the long‐ and short‐term responses of seed mass to climate change. The results presented here also contribute to our broader understanding of how climate drives long‐term (e.g., local adaptation) and short‐term (e.g., phenotypic plasticity) variation in functional traits, such as offspring size across landscapes.

Long-Term Maternal Fertilizer Addition Increased Seed Size but Decreased Germination Capacity and Offspring Performance in Taxus baccata L.

Plant fitness and species persistence depend on seed quantity and their ability to germinate and produce viable offspring. Although maternal environment can have a great impact on seed quality, few studies are pointing to the transgenerational effect of maternal environment on germination rate and offspring traits. Moreover, global changes connected to nitrogen and phosphorus deposition can also impact plants’ reproductive performance. Here, we collected Taxus baccata L. seeds produced by the same genotype female plants grown in different nutritional regimes. We use them to analyze seed size and the impact of long-term fertilization on germination capacity and offspring traits. Our results show that long-term maternal fertilizer addition increases the ratio of large seeds produced, but at the same time decreases germination capacity compared to control and nonfertilized plants. Moreover, it was demonstrated that maternal environment impacts seed traits and germination rate, and seed mass rather than maternal environment impacts offspring performance. Therefore, the study provides information on how the maternal environment regulates seed traits and germination capacity as well as seedling growth to adapt to increased nitrogen and phosphorus deposition and improves prediction about plants’ response to global environmental changes.

Adaptation of Legume Seeds to Waterlogging at Germination

Legume seeds are often sown on standing rice crops a few weeks before rice harvest (relay cropping). Seeds cannot germinate in waterlogged soil under relay sowing as oxygen is depleted. However, seeds may survive under soil waterlogging if the seeds can initiate anaerobic respiration, have a large seed reserve such as carbohydrates, perform a slow water uptake during imbibition and are small in size. An example of a seed crop that can initiate anaerobic respiration is rice. The seed embryo of rice can use an alcoholic fermentation pathway from carbohydrates to produce enough energy to germinate. In legumes, seeds with a slow imbibition rate were more waterlogging tolerant than seeds with a rapid rate. This is likely due to seeds with low imbibition rates having less electrolyte leakage than seeds with a rapid imbibition rate during germination under waterlogging. A small amount of oxygen may remain on the surface of waterlogged soil. Small seeds can use the small amount of oxygen on the surface of waterlogged soil to germinate. However, large seeds often fail to use the oxygen on the surface of waterlogged soil to germinate because only a small part of large seeds remain on the surface of waterlogged soil. Therefore, small seeds are more adapted to soil waterlogging than large seeds under relay cropping. This review is focused on the physiological adaptation of legume seeds under low oxygen concentration during soil waterlogging.

Significance of seed morphology and anatomy in the systematics of Musaceae

AbstractThe paper deals with the seed morphology and anatomy of 32 wild Indian Musaceae by using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). This is the first comprehensive investigation into the seed micro-morphological and anatomical aspects of two genera of the family. Seed characters including shape, size, surface sculpturing (LM and SEM), seed coat thickness, layer characters and chalazal chamber column were considered. Seed characters play a significant role in the delimitation of taxa as they are more stable than vegetative (anatomical) and pollen features. Four types of seeds (oblate, ovoid, sub-globose and ellipsoid) were observed in the family, oblate seeds being the most common. LM revealed that most of the seeds have verrucate surface sculpturing, but some are smooth-verrucate or smooth. Seed size also plays an important role in the identification of the taxa to some extent. Number of layers and seed coat thickness are directly proportional to seed size. However, the thickness of endotesta, tegmen and inner endosperm layers (aleurone layers) differ in small and large seeds. The present study revealed eight types of outer sculpturing and three inner sculpturing patterns with diverse nature of anticlinal and periclinal cell walls. Based on the seed characters, a phenetic analysis was also carried out.

Germination of Triticum aestivum L.: Effects of Soil–Seed Interaction on the Growth of Seedlings

Seed size, sowing depth, and seed disinfection can affect seed germination and seedling establishment, which, in turn, can directly affect crop growth and yield. The current study was comprised of two experiments, the first of which was conducted in the laboratory, and a second which was performed under glasshouse conditions. The objective of these experiments was to investigate the effects of seed size, sowing depth, and seed disinfection on seed germination and initial seedling growth of selected wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars. The treatments in laboratory experiment were arranged in a completely randomized design, which included: (Ι) four wheat cultivars (Pishgam, Haydari, Soissons, and Mihan), (ΙΙ) two seed size classes (x < 2.25 mm, and x > 2.25 mm), and two disinfection treatments (no-disinfection and disinfection), (ΙΙΙ) with five replicates. In addition to the aforementioned treatments, the effect of planting depth (4, 6, and 8 cm) was also investigated in the subsequent glasshouse experiment. The best results were obtained at a sowing depth of 4 cm, in the non-disinfected treatment, using large seeds. In contrast, the lowest percentage and speed of seed germination and vigor index were observed in seeds sown at 8 cm depth, in the disinfected seed treatment, using small seeds. Large seeds contain larger nutrient stores which may improve seed germination indices, which would therefore result in improved percentage and speed of seed germination, followed by faster coleoptile and seedling growth, higher seedling dry weight and seed vigor. These data also illustrated that seed disinfection in the Pishgam and Haydari cultivars had inhibitory effects upon coleoptile growth and seedling length, which could be related to the fungicide’s chemical composition. Unlike other cultivars, disinfection did not show a significant effect on the Soissons cultivar. Based on our data, in order to improve both the speed of wheat seed germination and subsequent plant growth and development; it is necessary to select high-quality, large seeds, planted at a specific planting depth, which have been treated with an effective disinfectant; all of which will be specific for the wheat cultivar in question. Overall, the current study has provided useful information on the effect size seed, sowing depth, and disinfection have upon germination characteristics and seedling growth of wheat cultivars, which can form the basis for future field scale trails.

Size matters: variations in seagrass seed size at local scales affects seed performance

AbstractSeed size can have an impact on angiosperm reproductive fitness. Ecological theory predicts plants that will produce larger seeds in stressful environments to increase the chances of seedling survival and numerous small seeds in favourable conditions to increase the number of recruits. We measured seed morphology of the seagrass Heterozostera nigricaulis from four populations under differing environmental conditions in South East Australia. Seed size and mass among sites showed consistent differences over four flowering seasons. Seeds from exposed, ephemeral meadows (Blairgowrie, Edwards Point) were 19%–53% heavier than those from larger, stable meadows at more sheltered sites (Swan Bay, Point Henry). Overall, heavier seeds from exposed sites performed better in germination experiments and persisted (remained viable) longer compared to small seeds from sheltered sites. Seeds from sheltered sites showed contrasting levels of seed performance. Small seeds from Swan Bay had the lowest germination but the proportion of viable seeds after 12 months were much higher (41%) than similar sized seeds from Point Henry (0%). There are clear life history benefits of large seeds that facilitate seed persistence and germination at exposed sites; however, the performance of smaller seeds varied between sites and may be a function of other site-specific advantages.

Native crops on the threshold of European contact: ritual seed deposits at Kuykendall Brake, Arkansas

ABSTRACT Flexible strategies of crop production and wild food procurement helped late Mississippian farmers withstand environmental and social perturbations that preceded and followed European contact. Beans were fully incorporated by AD 1400, but their economic importance is difficult to assess due to low likelihood of preservation. Likewise, oily native seeds including sumpweed and sunflower are poorly represented in archaeobotanical assemblages, with cultigen sumpweed often considered all-but-extinct by the fifteenth century AD. Ritual grain offerings from an intentionally burned and buried structure at the Kuykendall Brake site in central Arkansas indicate that in this special context, beans were at least as highly valued as corn. Large domesticated sumpweed seeds were the third most common species, adding to evidence from other sites in the Southeast that this crop had not been dropped from all Native farming systems. Combining the information from Kuykendall Brake with data from other late Mississippian and early Contact period assemblages from the region, we conclude that the high level of agrobiodiversity and broad harvesting base alleviated risks of food insecurity and helped local societies sustain and prolong traditional lifeways.

Initial development and physiological potential of soybean and maize as a function of vigor level and seed size

This work aimed to evaluate the initial development of soybean and maize plants due to the vigor level and the seed size used. Soybean seeds of cultivar 5855 RSF IPRO (BMX ELITE) and hybrid maize Fórmula Viptera were classified in two sizes of sieve (6.00 and 6.50 mm - soybean; 7.50 and 7.00 mm - maize) and two levels of vigor for soybean and three levels of vigor for maize. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 2 x 2 bifactorial scheme (sieve size x vigor levels) for soybean and 2 x 3 (sieve size x vigor levels) for maize, with four replications. The variables evaluated were germination, first germination count and emergence in bed. In the evaluation of seedling initial performance, shoot, root and total length, volume and dry mass were evaluated at 7, 11 and 14 days after sowing for soybean and at 7, 14 and 21 days for maize seeds. High vigor soybean and maize seeds presented high physiological quality, as well as in the development of plants, where larger and of high vigor soybean seeds showed higher plant length and dry mass. The classification of seeds through the level of vigor influences the physiological quality of soybean and maize seeds. Larger seeds with higher vigor showed greater length and initial development of seedlings, being indicated the use of seeds of something vigor

Improvement of large-seeded waxy corn (Zea mays L. var. ‘Ceratina Kulesh’) populations for food and industrial purposes

Improving large-seeded waxy corn for food and industrial purposes is one way to increase the value and utilization of new corn cultivars in Thailand. This study aimed to evaluate the agronomic traits, yield and yield components, and response to downy mildew (DM) disease caused by Peronosclerospora sorghi of the developed breeding lines of large-seeded waxy corn. A total of 33 waxy corn breeding lines with different seed sizes, row numbers, and kernel colors were selected from 2015 to 2018. The yield experiment was conducted at the Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand in the 2019/20 dry season and the 2020 rainy season. The breeding lines were also screened for DM resistance through artificial inoculation with spore suspension at farmers’ fields in two locations, namely, Sok Muang and Nong Bua, in the 2020 rainy season. Genotype had a significant effect on yields, yield components, and agronomic traits. However, the interactions between genotype and season were not significant for 1000-kernel dry weight and the number of rows per ear. ‘DRP-4’, RLW-4’, ‘RLW-6’, ‘RLW-7’, and ‘RLW-10’ showed the highest 1000-kernel dry weight and the optimal number of rows. Corn grown at Sok Muang Village had higher disease severity than that grown at Nong Bua Village due to the high rainfall, low temperature, and high humidity at the area. The resistant check cultivar ‘Nei9008’ exhibited moderate resistance to DM at both locations. Although the inbred lines were susceptible to DM disease, they appeared to be a good source of large seeds. Therefore, the backcross breeding method is still needed to obtain DM-resistant germplasm for the further development of waxy corn cultivars.

Taxonomic and ecological significance of seed morphology and ultrastructure in species of Lotus formerly classified in Dorycnium (Leguminosae – Loteae)

Seed morphology and ultrastructure of Lotus species from sections Dorycnium (L. dorycnium and L. graecus), Bonjeanea (L. rectus, L. hirsutusand L. strictus) and Lotus (L. corniculatus) have been studied using light and scanning electron microscopy. The seeds of studied species have a conservative structure typical for most Papilionoideae. Seed size, shape and color only partially allow distinguishing species in the studied group. The most morphologically distinguishable seeds are those of members of the polyphyletic section Bonjeanea, with L. rectus having the smallest and L. strictus the largest seeds. Seed size ranges in the species of the section Dorycnium overlap both between the members of the section and with seeds of L. hirsutus (section Bonjeanea). Seed surface ultrastructure around the hilum is very stable among studied species, whereas that on the lateral seed side is more variable. The types of surface sculpture on the lateral seed side do not strongly correlate with taxonomic position of species, but some correlations with eco-geographical patterns can be traced. The type of seed surface micromorphology with inconspicuous primary sculpture and thick secondary cuticular deposits was revealed in taxa, which distribution is connected with the Mediterranean region (L. hirsutus, L. dorycnium subsp. gracilis and partially L. rectus). Foveolate-papillose primary sculpture with thin secondary cuticular deposits is typical for species occurring in milder climate (L. corniculatus, L. strictus, L. graecus). Studied species can be subdivided into two groups by endosperm thickness. We believe that thin endosperm revealed in L. strictus and L. corniculatus may be a trait connected with the acceleration of development when spreading from the Mediterranean to the temperate climatic zone.

Pre‐dispersal seed predation could help explain premature fruit drop in a tropical forest

Abstract Pre‐dispersal seed mortality caused by premature fruit drop is a potentially important source of plant mortality, but one which has rarely been studied in the context of tropical forest plants. Of particular interest is premature fruit drop triggered by enemies, which—if density dependent—could contribute to species coexistence in tropical forest plant communities. We used a long‐term (31 year) dataset on seed and fruit fall obtained through weekly collections from a network of seed traps in a lowland tropical forest (Barro Colorado Island, Panama) to estimate the proportion of seeds prematurely abscised for 201 woody plant species. To determine whether enemy attack might contribute to premature fruit drop, we tested whether plant species abscise more of their fruit prematurely if they (a) have attributes hypothesised to be associated with high levels of enemy attack and (b) are known to be attacked by one enemy group (insect seed predators). We also tested (c) whether mean rates of premature fruit drop for plant species are phylogenetically conserved. Overall rates of premature fruit drop were high in the plant community. Across all species, 39% of seeds were abscised before completing their development. Rates of premature seed abscission varied considerably among species and could not be explained by phylogeny. Premature seed abscission rates were higher in species which are known to host pre‐dispersal insect seed predators and species with attributes that were hypothesised to make them more susceptible to attack by pre‐dispersal enemies, namely species which (a) have larger seeds, (b) have a greater average height, (c) have temporally predictable fruiting patterns and (d) are more abundant at the study site. Synthesis. Premature fruit drop is likely to be a major source of seed mortality for many plant species on Barro Colorado Island. It is plausible that pre‐dispersal seed enemies, such as insect seed predators, contribute to community‐level patterns of premature fruit drop and have the potential to mediate species coexistence through stabilising negative density dependence. Our study suggests that the role of pre‐dispersal enemies in structuring tropical plant communities should be considered alongside the more commonly studied post‐dispersal seed and seedling enemies.

Dental occlusal surface and seed dispersal evolution inTapirus(Mammalia: Perissodactyla)

AbstractMost tapirs are good seed dispersers. An exception is the Malayan tapir, Tapirus indicus, a seed predator (mainly of large seeds). Little is known about the capacity for tapirs to disperse seeds throughout their evolutionary history. We used the occlusal surface area (OSA) of tapir cheek teeth as a predictor of seed dispersal potential in living and extinct tapir species. We used T. indicus as a reference for an extant tapir that mostly eats seeds. The OSA was calculated by multiplying the maximal width and length of molars and premolars. A threshold based on T. indicus OSA was projected onto a box plot analysis and used as a predictor for tapir seed dispersal potential. Ordination and statistical results suggest that tooth morphology is uniform between Tapirus species and that size is the main factor affecting variation. Maxillary teeth show greater variation in morphology than mandibular teeth between species. The results suggest that extant South American tapirs are good seed dispersers. North American tapirs present variable OSAs, and Asian tapirs have a low capacity for dispersion. All European tapirs were probably efficient seed dispersers. We present the first morphometric evidence for seed dispersal capacity in tapirs, with ramifications for tapir palaeoecology.

Concurrent evolution of seed dormancy and herbicide resistance in field populations of dominant weed species in Western Australian cropping systems

AbstractHerbicide resistance, documented in many economically damaging weed species, is a major threat to global crop production. The injudicious use of herbicides, often in the absence of diverse weed control strategies, poses an immense selection pressure on weed communities for resistance evolution and weed adaptive traits such as high seed dormancy. This study evaluates the interaction among developing herbicide resistance, seed size, and seed dormancy of ripgut brome (Bromus diandrus Roth), wild oat (Avena fatua L.), and hare barley [Hordeum leporinum Link; syn. Hordeum murinum L. ssp. leporinum (Link) Arcang.] collected from within intensively managed fields (in-crop) in comparison with populations in surrounding ruderal (non-crop disturbed) areas with no history of exposure to herbicides within the Western Australian grainbelt. Seed size of the three species varied by farming system (continuous cereal-intensive annual crops, diverse annual crops, pasture based) and habitat (in-crop, ruderal). Field populations of H. leporinum and B. diandrus tended to have greater seed size compared with ruderal populations. Larger seeds had significantly more dormancy in all three weed species. Field-collected populations that were exposed to herbicide applications for at least the past 5 yr exhibited significantly greater seed dormancy compared with their counterparts present in ruderal areas within the same geographic area. The association between increased seed dormancy and developing multiple herbicide resistance further complicates effective weed management.

Особенности урожайности и посевных качеств семян арахиса

According to the results of the study, it can be said that the change in the sowing qualities of seeds is associated with a change in the complex physiological and biochemical composition of seeds. These physiological and biochemical bases are formed during the filling and maturation of seeds and can be easily changed with the help of the environment and agrotechnical methods. Planting large seeds has a positive effect on all elements of productivity — the density of plants increases and the signs characterizing the structure of crop yield improve. Sowing material grown under different conditions exhibits different biological properties. If the quality of the seed is determined in the laboratory, you can find out its yield under certain conditions. As a result, we can say that a higher groundnuts yield was observed when groundnuts were sown together with early ripening tomatoes.

The role of maternal age, growth, and environment in shaping offspring performance in an aerial conifer seed bank.

Maternal effects have been demonstrated to affect offspring performance in many organisms, and in plants, seeds are important mediators of these effects. Some woody plant species maintain long-lasting canopy seed banks as an adaptation to wildfires. Importantly, these seeds stored in serotinous cones are produced by the mother plant under varying ontogenetic and physiological conditions. We sampled the canopy seed bank of a highly serotinous population of Pinus pinaster to test whether maternal age and growth and the environmental conditions during each crop year affected seed mass and ultimately germination and early survival. After determining retrospectively the year of each seed cohort, we followed germination and early survival in a semi-natural common garden. Seed mass was related to maternal age and growth at the time of seed production; i.e., slow-growing, older mothers had smaller seeds, and fast-growing, young mothers had larger seeds, which could be interpreted either as a proxy of senescence or as a maternal strategy. Seed mass had a positive effect on germination success, but aside from differences in seed mass, maternal age had a negative effect and diameter had a positive effect on germination timing and subsequent survival. The results highlight the importance of maternal conditions combined with seed mass in shaping seedling establishment. Our findings open new insights in the offspring performance deriving from long-term canopy seed banks, which may have high relevance for plant adaptation.

SELECTION OF LANDRACES OF LIMA BEAN FOR FAMILY AGRICULTURE

ABSTRACT Lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus L.) is the second most important socioeconomic species of the genus, consisting of a food alternative as green or mature beans. It is an income option for family farmers and the lack of superior varieties makes its recommendation difficult, considering the peculiar lima bean variability. Thus, aimed to select landraces of lima beans based on desirable agronomic traits, enabling their use in breeding programs and later recommendations to family farmers. Evaluation trials were carried out with 14 landraces of lima beans in the municipalities of São Domingos do Maranhão - MA, Teresina - PI, Bom Jesus - PI, and Tianguá - CE. The agronomic traits were evaluated: number of days until flowering, number of days until pod maturation, pod length, pod width, pod thickness, number of seeds per pod, 100-seed weight, and grain yield. The data were initially subjected to univariate analysis of variance to determine the genetic variability in different environments and, subsequently, to multivariate and cluster analyses. The evaluated landraces showed genetic divergence, not being grouped according to geographic origin, demonstrating the existence of similarity between germplasms of rural communities in neighboring states. The varieties Boca de Moça, Raio de Sol, and Fava Branca CE are the earliest; Boca de Moça, Rajada, and Raio de Sol presented the longest pods and largest seeds; and Boca de Moça, Rajada, and Mulatinha are the most productive. Therefore, it qualifies them for recommendation to family farmers and/or incorporation in lima bean breeding programs.

Seed size dimorphism in Hyptis suaveolens aids in differentiation of the germination niche.

Seed germination characteristics help predict the degree of invasive success of a species based on capacity of the seeds to germinate and recruit into novel habitats. Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poit. (Bush mint, Pignut; Lamiaceae) is an invasive plant that is spreading throughout tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. We conducted a study to understand the role of seed size dimorphism in differentiation of germination niche in H. suaveolens. We subjected small and large seeds to varying environmental conditions of temperature (°C), photoperiod (light/dark), salt (NaCl; mM), pH, osmotic potential (MPa), different soil types and ratios (clay:sand) and burial depth (cm). Different germination indices were calculated and their interaction with seed dimorphism studied. There was a significant interaction (P < 0.001) between germination indices and seed dimorphism throughout the treatments. Large seeds had higher germination percentage and rate, indicating higher germination capacity. In addition, these displayed more asynchronous germination under various environments. Small seeds, on the other hand, required a longer germination time as compared to large seeds, indicating slower germination. Differential responses of the two seed morphs to varying environmental conditions, therefore, help H. suaveolens to differentiate its germination niche and establish in heterogeneous environments. These findings will help in devising appropriate management and eradication strategies based on germination ecology of seeds.

Effects of Hydro-priming and Seed Size on the Germination, Root, and Shoot of Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L. var. NSIC Pn18) Grown under Drought Conditions

This study aimed to assess the effects of hydro-priming duration and peanut seed size on the germination performance and the root and shoot characteristics of peanut seedlings under drought conditions. Two experiments were conducted under the laboratory and nursery. Peanut seed sizes (S1: small seeds and S2: large seeds) designated as the main plots, and duration of priming (P1: 0 hour, P2: 5 hours, and P3: 10 hours) was considered as the subplots. A 2 × 3 split-plot completely randomized design with three replications was used. Ten small and ten large seeds were placed in 4 × 4 inch plastic containers for laboratory experiment and 25 × 25 cm cellophane for pot experiment per treatment filled with dry soil at 10% moisture content. Large seeds soaked at 5–10 hours emerged earlier than the unsoaked seeds in this study. Final germination enhanced in bigger seeds also resulted in an increase in the germination index (seeds day−1) and the seedling vigor index. Likewise, larger seeds produced shorter shoots and plant height but broader shoots with more leaves. It is recommended that bigger seeds can be a good source of planting materials when planted in drought conditions and primed at 5–10 hours. However, unprimed smaller seeds can be used as planting materials in moist soil conditions. The interaction effect was noted on the fresh shoot weight of peanut plants as affected by seed size and hydro-priming. Higher fresh shoot weight of peanut plants when exposed to priming regardless of the seed size was obtained.

Seed size selection from M3 mutant soybean offspring of Kipas Merah Bireun variety in Aceh province

Kipas Merah Bireun is one of the superior soybeans which was once widely cultivated in Bireun Regency, Aceh Province, used to be as a centre of origin of Kipas Merah Bireun variety. The weaknesses of the Kipas Merah Bireun variety are relatively small seed size (dry weight 12 g/100 seeds), long harvest period and less resistance to drought stress. Therefore it is necessary to improve the quality of Kipas Merah Bireun variety soybeans in order to get soybeans with better properties, one way is to use mutation techniques. The objectives of the study reported here were to evaluate the genetic variability for seed size of single plant selection for large seed in the mutants of gamma irradiated population. The research successfully selected 41 lines soybean mutant with both of high weight seed per plant and large seed size. Several mutant lines of Kipas Merah Bireun were promising to be investigated and developed further in accordance with attempts to increase productivity in Aceh province. Therefore, further research is needed to see how the growth and production of selected mutant soybeans with large seeds in this study in various locations and planting seasons.

Genome-wide association studies dissect the genetic architecture of seed shape and size in common bean.

Seed weight and size are important yield components. Thus, selecting for large seeds has been a key objective in crop domestication and breeding. In common bean, seed shape is also important since it influences industrial processing and plays a vital role in determining the choices of consumers and farmers. In this study, we performed genome-wide association studies on a core collection of common bean accessions to dissect the genetic architecture and identify genomic regions associated with seed morphological traits related to weight, size, and shape. Phenotypic data were collected by high-throughput image-based approaches, and utilized to test associations with 10,362 single-nucleotide polymorphism markers using multilocus mixed models. We searched within genome-associated regions for candidate genes putatively involved in seed phenotypic variation. The collection exhibited high variability for the entire set of seed traits, and the Andean gene pool was found to produce larger, heavier seeds than the Mesoamerican gene pool. Strong pairwise correlations were verified for most seed traits. Genome-wide association studies identified marker–trait associations accounting for a considerable amount of phenotypic variation in length, width, projected area, perimeter, and circularity in 4 distinct genomic regions. Promising candidate genes were identified, e.g. those encoding an AT-hook motif nuclear-localized protein 8, type 2C protein phosphatases, and a protein Mei2-like 4 isoform, known to be associated with seed size and weight regulation. Moreover, the genes that were pinpointed are also good candidates for functional analysis to validate their influence on seed shape and size in common bean and other related crops.