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Jojoba [Simmondsia chinensis (Link) Schneider] is a long-lived desert shrub, native to the arid zones of Arizona, California and North-Western Mexico. The unique wax in their seeds could be a substitute for the oil of the endangered sperm whale. The plant in its natural habitat tolerates high temperature , soil salinity , soil alkalinity and may classified as a true xerophyte. Jojoba shrubs has been introduced to Egypt in 1991 and first orchard planted at EL-Ismailia district on nearly 20 feddans by seeds from USA. The total cultivated area of jojoba has reached over 762 feddans that produce 180 tons of seeds according to IJEC (2008). The study was conducted during seasons of 2006 and 2007 to investigate the variations among different genotypes established by seeds at El-Ismailia to define the extent of differences among them and try to use the morphological parameters obtained in the field for evaluation and propagation of the desirable genotypes. A total of 24 Jojoba genotypes, among them eleven being considered as commercial genotypes are being morphologically studied. Considerable variability was found among the genotypes in all parameters, i.e. height and volume of shrubs , shoot length , internode length and thickness , number of internodes , number of leaves , average of leaf surface area , leaf area/1m of vegetative growth , shape index of leaf , node density per shoot , flowers density per shoot , seed length and width , weight of 100 seeds in addition to shape index of seed. The natural degree of variability appeared enormous, that gives a plant scientist a huge range of possible gene combinations for future selection and improvement of jojoba as a new-industrial and commercial crop. |
