Academe Research Journals

International Journal of Agricultural Science Research

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluation of seven jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) clones under Qassim Region conditions in Saudi Arabia

Abdulrahman Al-Soqeer

Department of Plant Production and Protection, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Qassim University, Buraydah 51452, P.O. Box 6622, Saudi Arabia. E-mail: wasmy84@hotmail.com.

Accepted 14 October, 2014

Abstract

This study was conducted at the Experimental Farm of the College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Qassim University to evaluate growth, vegetative, reproductive and seed yield characters. Seven diverse female jojoba genotypes were used and established in the field experiment between October 27 and 30, 2008. Sixty plants per genotype were planted in completely randomized block design with five replications. The genotypes significantly differed for all studied traits. Highly significant differences among growth seasons and genotypes were found for plant height. Plant height measurements showed that growth rate was rapid in May and September, after September, growth rate was gradually decreased until February 1st. Genotypes, HA₉ and HD₁ recorded the highest and lowest values of plant height respectively. For plant diameters axis, genotypes HB₈ and HD₁ had the broadest and narrowest diameter respectively. Genotypes HB₈ and MD₈ had almost similar values in most traits. HB₂ had the greatest number of branched nodes, total nodes, number of flower buds and flowers, number of total leaves per branch, while it had the shortest branch length and internodes. Genotype HB₈ was superior in branch length, branch dry weight, longest internodes length, seed yield plant^-1 and seed weight. Differences in flowering initiation were also found among the seven genotypes investigated. Results reported in this research could permit further improvement by selection and breeding.

Key words: Genotype, reproductive, simmondsin, Simmondsia chinensis, biometric traits, yield.