Effects of seed heteroblasty on germination and seedling vigor in wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum L.)

In order to investigate the effects of seed heteroblasty on germination and seedling vigor in wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum L.) this study was conducted in Agricultural College of Darab in 2007. In laboratory and greenhouse, germination and seedling growth studies were conducted on seed harvested from different seed positions and heights of mother plant of wild radish by factorial in completely randomized design using four replications. Treatments consisted of three heights of mother plant (40-60, 60-80, 80-100 cm) and three seed positions within the inflorescence including: 1- Seeds in low part of inflorescence (seeds of the first to fifth siliceous in inflorescence), 2- Seeds in middle part of inflorescence (seeds of the sixth to tenth siliceous in inflorescence), 3- Seeds in upper part of inflorescence (seeds of the eleventh to fifteenth siliceous in inflorescence). The results in laboratory showed that among three heights of mother plant, the seeds of the sixth to tenth siliceous in inflorescence had the maximum germination percentage and produced the tallest length of radicle. Also, in height of 60-80 cm of mother plant, the seeds of sixth to tenth and first to fifth siliceous in inflorescence produced the tallest length of primary shoot. In greenhouse experiments, the seeds of sixth to tenth siliceous of inflorescence in height of 60-80 cm of mother plant produced the maximum number of plants and the seeds that harvested from sixth to tenth siliceous of inflorescence in height of 80-100 cm of mother plant had the maximum height of wild radish.