SEED DORMANCY IN PIGEONPEA GERMPLASM

Abstract

Dormancy due to hard seed coat is a characteristic feature of many
species in the family Fabaceae (Barton, 1965) to which pigeonpea (Cajanus
cajan(L) Millsp.) belongs. The hard seed coat acts as a barrier to absorption
of water, resulting in failure or delay of germination even under
favourable conditions. Apart from reduced emergence in soil when
sown for multiplication, hard seedness will result in preferential selection
for non-dormant types and consequent genetic drift in populations
of heterogenous germplasm accessions.