Role of Macrosclereid Length in Seed Hardness and Dormancy in Vigna Species
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Authors
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Akhil Sai Nallavelli
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S Rajkumar
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Kuldeep Tripathi
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Jyoti Kumari
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Sherry R Jacob
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Gore
Abstract
Pulses are an important and affordable source of dietary protein, and the genus Vigna includes species with high agronomic and nutritional value. Seed dormancy, mainly controlled by seed coat hardness, is a key trait that affects germination, crop establishment, and management of genetic resources. In this study, we explored how macrosclereid length influences hard-seededness (Physical dormancy) in six Vigna species representing different levels of domestication: domesticated (V. mungo, V. radiata), semi-domesticated (V. stipulacea), and wild relatives (V. sublobata, V. silvestris, V. setulosa). We studied nineteen accessions for seed coat anatomy using a light microscope, and the data were analysed through ANOVA, Duncan’s test, and correlation analyses. We found a clear domestication-related pattern: domesticated species had smoother testa with shorter macrosclereids, wild species showed rough, thick-walled testa with longer macrosclereids, and the semi-domesticated species was intermediate. Macrosclereid length and seed hardness were negatively associated with germination. These results shed light on the structural basis of dormancy and provide guidance for germplasm conservation and breeding for improved seed permeability in Vigna.
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