SEED SOURCE VARIATION IN CAMPTOTHECIN CONCENTRATIONS OF NURSERY-GROWNCAMPTOTHECA-ACUMINATA SEEDLINGS

Seeds from eight geographical sources of Camptotheca acuminata Decaisn e were germinated and grown in a completely randomized design in a nur sery in northern Louisiana, under common management treatments. Growth and camptothecin (CPT) concentrations were measured. Variations in se ed length, stem diameter, stem height, and CPT concentrations were fou nd among the eight seed sources tested. The China-1 and 2 sources were among the highest in leaf, stem, and root CPT concentrations, whereas the Texas source was the lowest. The seeds contained higher CPT conce ntrations than did their corresponding seedlings in each case. Seeds o f China-2 and SC-6 sources had the highest CPT concentrations, whereas those of China-3 had the lowest. Results suggest that there is geogra phic variation among the seed sources for the measured traits. Additio nal seed source studies, to better understand the variation available in the species, are necessary to develop high yielding families or clo nal lines for future production.