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Seed morphological characteristics, storage behavior, and germination pattern of Combretum indicum (L.) DeFilipps

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Abstract

Combretum indicum (L.) DeFilipps seeds have anthelmintic properties and are recognized to be medicinal; however, the array of their morphological characters, behavior in storage, and germination pattern are not yet established. This is the first detailed report elucidating the seed characteristics of C. indicum which may influence postharvest handling, longevity in storage, and conservation strategy among others. Seeds of 10 C. indicum accessions from the Philippine Biorepository Network were morphologically characterized in situ and ex situ. Previously stored seeds were subjected to desiccation and cold treatments to identify behavior in storage. Germination tests were conducted to identify the viability of the seeds in the various treatments, and seedling development was recorded and framed according to the extended Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt und CHemische Industrie (BBCH) scale. C. indicum seed shape ranged from elliptic to ovate with stellate, five-winged, angular cross-section. It has 16.30 ± 3.06 mm length and 6.62 ± 0.75 mm diameter. Its morphological characters were found to characteristically vary between accessions indicating infraspecific diversity. Its seeds are orthodox as they could tolerate drying to about 1.65% moisture content and subsequent storage in − 18 °C for 60 days. Days to seed germination ranged from 5 to 44 days after sowing. It has a hemi-cryptocotylar hypogeal germination pattern which starts with the characteristic emergence of the radicle at the stylar-end (BBCH 05) and distinctly culminates in the unfolding of a pair of leaves arranged in an opposite to sub-opposite manner (BBCH 11).

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) for its support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Crop Science, College of Agriculture and Food Science, University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), College, 4031, Laguna, Philippines

    Renerio P. Gentallan Jr., Michael Cedric B. Bartolome, Reneliza D. Cejalvo, Emmanuel Bonifacio S. Timog, Nestor C. Altoveros, Teresita H. Borromeo & Leah E. Endonela

  2. Department of Forest Biological Sciences, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), College, 4031, Laguna, Philippines

    Emmanuel Bonifacio S. Timog

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  1. Renerio P. Gentallan Jr.
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  2. Michael Cedric B. Bartolome
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  3. Reneliza D. Cejalvo
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  4. Emmanuel Bonifacio S. Timog
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Correspondence to Renerio P. Gentallan Jr..

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Gentallan, R.P., Bartolome, M.C.B., Cejalvo, R.D. et al. Seed morphological characteristics, storage behavior, and germination pattern of Combretum indicum (L.) DeFilipps. Genet Resour Crop Evol 68, 2767–2773 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10722-021-01239-9

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