Variability of morphometric traits of seeds of different genotypes of Lycium spp.

Purpose. The objective of this study was to evaluate the morphological parameters of Lycium spp. seeds from the collections in M. M. Hryshko National Botanical Garden (NBS) NAS of Ukraine. Methods. Cultivars and varieties of three Lycium species (Lycium barbarum, L. chinense, L. truncatum) were studied in the period from 2016 till 2019. The following morphometric measurments were conducted: seeds weight, seeds length, seeds width and index of seeds shape. Basic statistical analyses were performed using PAST 2.17. Hierarchical cluster analyses of similarity between genotypes were computed on the basis of the Bray-Curtis similarity index. Correlation between traits was determined using the Pearson correlation coefficient. Results. Cultivars and varieties of different species of Lycium varied in weight, shape, and size of seeds. Seed weight varied from 0.54 to 3.54 mg, seed length from 1.90 to 3.06 mm, seed width from 1.43 to 2.53 mm. The shape indexes of seeds were found ranging from 0.73 to 0.80. The analysis of coefficient of variation showed the difference of variability in morphometric characteristics between some Lycium spp. cultivars and varieties. The most variable features: seeds weight (8.51–28.22%) and seeds length (5.07–24.81%) are important parameters for selection. The use of cluster analysis made it possible to establish the similarity between the species of the studied Lycium species. Conclusions. Diagnostic signs by seed morphometry for differentiation of Lycium species were revealed. The analysis of coefficient of variation showed the difference of variability in morphometric characteristics between some Lycium cultivars and varieties. The most variable characteristics of the studied genotypes were seed weight and length, which are important parameters for selection because they determine the pulp content and number of seeds, as well as the ratio of these parameters between them. It is through variability that promising varieties with low seed weight and length can be selected, Due to securing them later vegetatively.