Some comparative morpho-physical features of Kola (Cola spp.)
1988
Oladokun, M.A.O. | Adedipe, N.O. (Ibadan Univ., Ibadan (Nigeria). Dept. of Agricultural Biology)
The embryo length, moisture content and some other physical features of the nuts of both Cola acuminata (P. Beauv) Schott and Endlicher and Cola nitida (Vent.) Schott and Endlicher were examined. Fresh and dry weights, nut length and width, embryo and embryo-groove lengths increased with nut size in both species. Nut moisture content decrease with increase in nut size in both species, especially in C. acuminata than in C. nitida. Embryo length relative to nut width was much higher in C. acuminata than in C. nitida. Correlations between these morpho-physical factors and rates of germination in both species showed that germination response in C. nitida was mainly determined by nut size-related factors such as class midpoints, nut fresh and dry weights and nut length and width. Embryo length and embryo-groove length were critical for germination of both species but they were much more so for germination of C. nitida than of C. acuminata. Germination in C. acuminata was negatively correlated with nut moisture content compared with C. nitida where there was no significant relationship. On nut cotyledon basis, both cotyledon number and embryo length positively influenced germination in C. acuminata. These relationships showed that embryo and embryo-groove lengths, nut moisture content and nut cotyledon number are both jointly and severally responsible for the differential rates of germination in the two kola species.
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