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Morpho-Physiological Characterization of Seeds and Seedlings of Nigella sativa Linn.: Study on Indian Germplasm

Author Affiliations

  • 1Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh Lucknow Campus, U.P, 226028, INDIA
  • 2Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, INDIA

Int. Res. J. Biological Sci., Volume 4, Issue (4), Pages 38-42, April,10 (2015)

Abstract

Nigella sativa germplasm, collected from 10 different states of India was characterized for morpho-physiological traits of seeds and seedlings. Seeds exhibited variation with respect to shape, color, size and weight. Seeds from Delhi, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh and Sikkim exhibited variation in shape varying from bulging to pointed (proximal and distal) ends. Color of seed also exhibited variation ranging from davy’s grey to jet black. Largest seed size was exhibited in seeds of Punjab (3.01±0.0216 mm in length and 2.0±0.081 mm in width), while minimum size was exhibited by seeds of Uttarakhand (2.83±0.021 mm in length and 1.6± 0.081mm in width). Maximum average seed weight was observed with the seeds from Kerala (2.40±0.016 g), while minimum was observed with seeds of Uttarakhand (2.16±0.024g). The respective seedlings also exhibited variation. In the seedlings, maximum root and shoot length was observed with sample from Karnataka (3.3±0.16 cm and 6.1±0.85 cm, respectively), while minimum was observed with sample from Rajasthan (1.6±0.29 cm and 3.5±0.54 cm, respectively). Maximum leaf area (12.06±0.17 mm) was observed in seeds from Delhi while a minimum was observed with seeds of Punjab (7.83±0.139 mm). Among physiological parameters, maximum fresh weight and dry weight ratio was found in seedlings from Uttarakhand (24.10±2.029) and minimum was observed in that of Kerala (12.47±2.380). Chlorophyll a and b were found maximum in seedlings from Sikkim (8.210.495µg /gram fresh weight), and Jammu and Kashmir (4.61±1.04µg / gram fresh weight), respectively, while minimum was observed with seedlings from Delhi (6.58±0.665µg / gram fresh weight) and Sikkim (3.28±0.20µg / gram fresh weight), respectively. When analyzed for carotene content, highest amount of total carotene was found in seedlings from Uttar Pradesh (1045.19±134.88µg / gram fresh weight) and minimum in seedlings from Rajasthan (799.80±56.52µg / gram fresh weight). Two way ANOVA also supported significant variation among the germplasm (P- value 0.05). The parameters studied here, indicated variation in the chemical constituents of seeds and their respective seedlings. It would be interesting to see whether this study may be extended to look into further biochemical and genetic variability.

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