Evaluation of Seed Quality Attributes of Sorghum G ermplasm Accessions from Eastern, Coast al and Nyanza R egions, Kenya
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Date
2020
Authors
Muui, C. W.
Muasya, R. M.
Nguluu, S.
Kambura, A.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Canadian Center of Science and Education
Abstract
Sorghum (
Sorghum bicolor L.) is an important cereal crop in Kenya. Despite the crops importance, the yields
attained by farmers in Eastern, Coastal and Nyanza regions of Kenya remain low. Access to good quality seeds
of sorghum is one of the constr aints facing the subsistence farmers. Good quality seed is important for increasing
yield to att ain food security. The aim of this study was to evaluate quality attributes of the seed used by farmers.
A total of 108 germplasm accessions were obtained from 76 farmers. The s eeds were tested for time and
percentage of germination, seed vigour index, shoot and root dry weight Data collected was subjected to
analysis of variance. Means were separated using Fisher’s Least Significance Difference test at p ≤ 0.05. Seed
samples of 26 accessions attained germination percentage below stipulated standards by S eeds and Plant
Varieties Act CAP 326 Majority of seeds showed longer mean germination time with only nine accessions
germinating in less than ten days. Seed vigo ur index was rela tively high in most of the accessions, while biomass
accumulation varied from high to very low among accessions. Though most of the seeds attained a high
germination percentage, about 92% of seeds showed longer mean germination time. The e nvironmental
conditions in the fields, pre and post harvest handling practices impact on the seed quality hence the wide
variability in germination percentage, germination time, seed vigour index and dry matter accumulation.
Therefore the need to improve q uality of seeds used by subsistence farmers by providing extension services on
best pre and post harvest handling practices. Increasing production of sorghum in these regions will contribute
significantly towards realizing food security. Further analysis c ould be carried out on genetic and sanitary quality
aspects of the seeds planted by farmer s in Eastern, Nyanza and Coast al regions
Description
A research article published in Sustainable Agriculture Research
Keywords
attributes, germplasm, seed quality, Sorghum bicolor
Citation
Muui, C. W., Muasya, R. M., Nguluu, S. N., & Kambura, A. (2020). Evaluation of seed quality attributes of sorghum germplasm accessions from Eastern, Coastal and Nyanza regions, Kenya.