Seeds from eight geographical sources of Camptotheca acuminata Decaisne were germinated and grown in a completely randomized design in a nursery in northern Louisiana, under common management treatments. Growth and camptothecin (CPT) concentrations were measured. Variations in seed length, stem diameter, stem height, and CPT concentrations were found 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 concentrations than did their corresponding seedlings in each case. Seeds of China-2 and SC-6 sources had the highest CPT concentrations, whereas those of China-3 had the lowest. Results suggest that there is geographic variation among the seed sources for the measured traits. Additional seed source studies, to better understand the variation available in the species, are necessary to develop high yielding families or clonal lines for future production.
