Seed of Leucaena leucocephala (Lam) Dewit variety K-8 and L. retusa Gr
ay variety Yellow Puff were germinated in growth chambers maintained a
t 10, 25, 30, and 35 degrees C. A fifth treatment of 30 degrees C for
13 hours followed by 25 degrees C for 11 hours was also included. Seed
were monitored every 4 days for 16 days for percent germination, test
a weight, cotyledon weight, hypocotyl weight and length, and radicle w
eight and length. Yellow Puff exhibited higher maximum germination and
a higher germination rate (expressed as percent of germinable seed ge
rminated 4 days after inhibition) than K-8. There was no temperature e
ffect on maximum germination of K-8, while the 35 degrees C treatment
substantially reduced germination in Yellow Puff. Despite faster germi
nation, Yellow Puff seedlings elongated slower compared to K-8. Radicl
e/hypocotyl ratios were similar for both species across all temperatur
es. Due to heavier seed weight of K-8 than Yellow Puff, testa and coty
ledon weights were also heavier. Rate of nutrient reserve mobilization
from the testa and cotyledon increased with increasing temperature in
K-8, while rate of mobilization of nutrient reserves in Yellow Puff s
eed declined at temperatures above 30 degrees C.