Genetic variation of seed physiological development during maturity in some of cumin ecotypes (Cuminum cyminum L.)

In order to investigate the genetic variation of seed physiological development in 14 ecotypes of Iranian cumin and one Indian genotype, an experiment was conducted in a completely randomized block design with four replications in the research farm of callege of Aburaihan, University of Tehran. Results analysis of variance showed that ecotypes had significant difference at 5% probability level for characteristics of wet and dry weight of seed at before harvest time and harvest time, seed moisture content before harvest time, maximum germination percentage and rate to 10% of germination, that it indicates the diversity among the 15 ecotypes for these characteristics. Ecotypes did not have significantly different at the 5% level for seed length and embryo size, also the ratio of embryo length to seed length. Factors investigated for germination test included 15 ecotypes and temperatures at three levels (10, 15 and 20 °C). The effect of temperature on germination percentage and rate to 10, 30 and 50% of germination was significant at 5% level and the most percentage and the rate of germination of ecotypes occurred at temperature of 15 °C. Also, the interaction between temperature and ecotype was not significant at 5% level. Among the ecotypes, the "Kooh-banan" ecotype had the highest value for most of the studied characteristics. Therefore, this ecotype is recognized as the best ecotype for characteristics related to germination and it can be used in breeding and farming programs. "Chat" and "Hydarabad" ecotypes had the lowest values for most characteristics.