Legume Seed Sizes and Their Consequential Growth Performance

Background and Objective: Selection of appropriate seed size has become a huge challenge considering the anticipation of bumper harvest. The study evaluated the effect of seed sizes on the growth and development of three legumes (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp., Arachis hypogaea L. and Glycine max (L.) Merrill) grown in Nigeria. Materials and Methods: The seeds of V. unguiculata, A. hypogea and G. max were sorted according to their sizes (length×breath) and grouped into ‘big-size’, ‘medium-size’ and ‘small-size’, respectively: V. unguiculata (1.08×0.62 cm, 0.65×0.44 cm, and 0.48×0.16 cm), A. hypogea (1.59×0.72 cm, 1.10×0.65 cm and 0.62×0.19 cm) and G. max (0.51×0.42 cm, 0.40×0.38 cm and 0.30×0.28 cm). After planting, the parameters investigated were plant height, stem girth, number of leaves and leaf area while the chlorophyll content, biomass and dry matter of the plants were determined 8 weeks after planting. Results: The study showed that big-size seeds of V. unguiculata, A. hypogea and G. max enhanced the plant height, stem girth, number of leaves, leaf area, biomass and dry matter when compared to other seed sizes while small-size seeds recorded the least values for plant height. However, the chlorophyll a and b content of V. unguiculata was high with medium-size seeds and least with small-size seeds. Again, for A. hypogea and G. max, the small-size seed had the highest chlorophyll a and b content while the big-size seed recorded the least values. Conclusion: The study, therefore, recommends the use of big-size seeds of V. unguiculata, A. hypogea and G. max for planting because of the presence of more endosperm that supports early growth.