Water limitation effect on seed development and germination in Trigonella coerulea (Fabaceae)

The annual garden spice legume Trigonella coerulea was subjected to controlled drought conditions to investigate the influence of resource limitation on flowering, seed production and germination. Limitations in water availability significantly reduced plant height and the number of fruits produced. However, treatments had no significant effect on seed set within the fruit. Fruit number per plant, rather than seed number per fruit was affected by resource limitation. Plants growing under water deficiency had higher flower abortion rates. Simultaneously, the size and germination rate of the seeds were decreased. In terms of reproductive success T. coerulea was not able to adapt reproduction to water shortage. Increase in moisture had no significant effect on seed quantity and quality when compared to the control.