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Influence of Drying Method and Fruit Position on the Mother Plant on Seed Quality of Spiderplant (Cleome gynandra L.) Morphotypes from western Kenya

Francis B.O. K’Opondo

Spiderplant is among the most popular African indigenous vegetables in Kenya, particularly in the western and coastal regions of the country. The influences of natural drying methods and fruit position on the mother plant on seed quality have not been adequately studied for spiderplant. The original spiderplant seeds for the study were sourced from farmers in Kakamega District and from wildly growing plants within Chepkoilel Campus in Uasin Gishu District, both in western Kenya. Seed quality tests were done on the four spiderplant morphotypes to determine the influence of natural drying at ambient temperatures on seed germination and fruit position on the mother plant both seed weight and seed germination. The results showed that sun drying of spiderplant seeds caused improvement on seed quality indicated by increased seed germination and germination rate in a number of morphotypes, while bottom and middle fruits produced heavier seeds that also resulted in better germination than fruits at the top of the plant. The objectives of were to study the influences of natural drying at ambient temperatures and fruit position on the mother plant on seed quality.