Abstract

SAADAOUI, Ezzeddine et al. Phenotypic variability and seed yield of Jatropha curcas L. Introducen to Tunisia. Act. Bot. Mex [online]. 2015, n.110, pp.119-134. ISSN 2448-7589.

Eight accessions of Jatropha curcas (six American and two African) were sown in the south of Tunisia (Gabès) to study its agricultural properties and development under local semi-arid conditions. Traits observed included general aspects of plant development (plant height, canopy circumference, number of nodes and seed yield); leaf characteristics (petiole length, limb length, limb width and foliar surface); and seed traits (size and shape). Morphological analysis of seeds included seed image area, perimeter, length/width ratio, circularity index and J index. This index reflects the similarity of seed images with an ellipse showing differences in seed shape between accessions. Jatropha curcas genotypes introduced in Tunisia are polymorphic, their seed yield is low and variable between genotypes. Seed morphology analysis gave an indication in relation with the productivity in some of the accessions. The comparative agronomic studies are crucial before early selection.

Keywords : diversity; morphology of Jatropha curcas; seed shape; seed yield; Tunisia.

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