Summary
Seed-size differences in Avena barbata Pott ex Link are of two sorts. First, there is a seed-size dimorphism (floret position) such that half of the seeds on every plant are larger. Second, the characteristic seed sizes of certain populations are significantly larger than those of other populations. This study reports relationships between seed size and quantitative characters at very early, intermediate, and late stages of the plant's life cycle: young seedlings of Avena barbata grown from smaller seeds are smaller than seedlings grown from larger seeds. Larger seeds do not produce plants that are larger at later stages if the seed-size difference is determined by floret position within the same genotype. Larger seeds do produce plants that are larger at later stages if the seed-size difference characterizes populations having different genotypes at many loci.
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Hutchinson, E. Seed size and quantitative characters in Avena barbata. Heredity 52, 25–33 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1038/hdy.1984.4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/hdy.1984.4
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