The present study was conducted in 2017 to evaluate provenance variation in seed morphological and germination characteristics and seedling growth performance of Acacia senegal variety senegal. Seeds were collected from high-yielding gum trees selected randomly from 12 sources in Kordofan. Seed morphological and germination characteristics and seedling growth performance were determined. To compare the performance of differences in a certain characteristic among provenances, analysis of variance was used. However, a hierarchical cluster analysis was performed to identify homogenous provenances based on similar characteristics. Results of the statistical analysis revealed significant differences in seed morphological and germination characteristics but no difference in seedling growth parameters among the 12 provenances. However, hierarchical cluster analysis resulted in different groups among provenances regardless of the rainfall isohyets. With respect to germination characteristics, provenances differed significantly in terms of total germination, the number of days required to have 50% of total seeds germinated, and germination speed. Six provenances scored full germination capacity. No significant differences were detected among provenances for the number of days required to have the first seed germinated. Seeds from all provenances required only 3–5.6 days for the first germination event to occur, indicating faster initiation of seed germination. Fifty percent of seeds from Umkraidim took around 15 days to germinate while only 4 days were required to germinate the same amount of seeds from Umsadain and Umruwaba provenances. The findings of this study might be useful for determining the suitable seed sources for afforestation and reforestation programs if the purpose of plantation establishment is gum production.
Cite this article as: Mohammed, M. H., Abdel Rahman, H. M., & Khatir, A. A. (2022). Provenance variation in seed morphological characteristics, germination, and seedling growth of acacia senegal high-yielding gum trees. Forestist, 72(3), 233-240.