Abstract
Seed size distribution pattern within pods of Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth. is investigated with respect the position of the seeds within pods. The composite healthy pod sample of 73 pods gave brood size of 9.38 ± 0.215 seeds per pod. The average mass of a seed for healthy pods from three mother plants varied significantly around the grand mean of 119.90 ± 0.352 (N=30), 134.52 ± 0.565 (N=30) and 135.57± 0.668mg (N=13), respectively. On an average seed weight in pods of mother plants A, B and C varied by 22.43 ± 2.14, 26.31 ± 1.75 and 23.19 ± 3.17 %, respectively. The mean individual seed weight in healthy pods (N=73) was 129.898 ± 1.5508 mg. Seed size varied with the position of the seed within the pod. The maximum number of seeds in any healthy pod of A. lebbeck was 11. The seeds (I to XI) varied in weight with CV = 25.42 to 35.48 %. The pattern of within-pod seed size distribution indicated that the weight of the first two seeds (proximal ones) was quite lesser in magnitude than that of the subsequent seeds. The first two seeds weighed 120.53 ± 0.00422 and 118.48 ± 0.00487 mg, respectively. Most of the subsequent seeds (number III to XI) were generally larger in size by a quantum of c 7 to 19 mg. It was evident by the t-test that seeds # I and II did not vary significantly from each other but were significantly lower ( p < 0.05) in size than distal seeds (seed # III, VI, VII, VIII and X). The seed size of the first two proximal seeds exhibited significantly lower magnitude in comparison to distal seeds # IV, V and IX at p < 0.10. The results are discussed in the light of the eco-physiological literature.
