1Department Agronomia, Universedade de Brasilia, Brazil and Tropical Research and Education Centre, IFAS, University of Florida, Homestead, Florida, USA
*Tropical Research and Education Centre, University of Florida, IFAS, Homestead, FL, 33031, U.S.A.
Seeds from 51 cassava clones Were screened for germination at 15 and 30 days after planting (DAP). The germination for 44 entries that represented both common and diverse Brazilian clones was low, ranging from 0 to 30% by 15 DAP and from 10 to 56% by 30 DAP. The germination for clones selected as early and good in germination ranged from 35 to 48% by 15 DAP and 60 to 80% by 30 DAP. The lack of variability among seeds of a given clone adds to the blief that there is considerable homozygosity within clones. Selected clones demonstrating early seed germination are being grown at the Universidade de Brasilia.
Manihot esculenta, cassava, seed germination, evaluation, germplasm
