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Pod/seed attributes and their role in taxonomic delimitation on some species of Senna (Caesalpiniaceae)
Author(s) -
Akinyemi O. F.,
Ayodele M. S.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
feddes repertorium
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.24
H-Index - 25
eISSN - 1522-239X
pISSN - 0014-8962
DOI - 10.1002/fedr.201400012
Subject(s) - senna , biology , point of delivery , germination , genus , botany , dendrogram , fabaceae , horticulture , genetic diversity , population , demography , sociology
This study investigated the attributes of pod and seed and their role in taxonomic delimi‐ tation of Senna species. This is consequent upon their ethno‐botanical importance in orthodox medicine, pests and disease control, production of dyes and tannins, and as ornamental trees. A total of twenty‐two accessions of five Senna species: Senna alata, S. occidentalis, S. hirsuta, S. obtusifolia and S. acutifolia were obtained from different locations in Abeokuta, Ogun State Nigeria. The morphological attributes of the pod and seed accessions were evaluated to reveal their phenotypic and phylogenetic relationships. Statistical analyses of quantitative data were done using SAS/PC Version 9.1. The common generic feature which supports their classifications as members of the same genus is exhibited in their fruit type (pod). Percent seed‐set and germination performance are high for all the accessions. Germination performance ranges from 72% to 100%. The variation between species in pod and seed characters is highly significant at 0.001 probability level ( p < 0.001). The dendrogram categorizes the 22 accessions (genotypes) into 4 phenotypic groups within the two extremes of similarity levels (0.0–3.5SL). Pod and seed attributes are of taxonomic importance in the genus Senna.