Seed storage behavior of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Knema attenuata</Emphasis>, an endemic species of Western Ghats,India

We performed desiccation and storage trials to better under- stand storage behavior of Knema attenuata seeds. Mature seeds with moisture content (MC) of 31% exhibited 73% germination. During the period of desiccation (open lab condition) seeds with MC 23% showed 40% germination. After further drying to MC 21% germination was reduced to 16%. Complete loss in viability resulted when seed moisture was reduced to 18%. The seeds stored at -10°C, 0°C, 10°C and 28±2°C (open lab condition) lost their viability within 10 days. Seeds stored in sealed polythene bags and moist sand retained viability for more days than did seeds stored under all other storage conditions. Sensitivity of seeds to lower temperature and desiccation suggest that the storage be- havior of K. attenuata seeds is recalcitrant. Seeds stored in moist condi- tions can, at best, be stored for a period of two months.     

Upgrading germinability of ponderosa pine seeds from Patagonia,Argentina, by adjusting prechilling periods and applying the IDS technique

Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Dogl. ex. Laws.) is the most planted conifer species in the forest-steppe ecotone of Patagonia, Argentina, because of its adaptability and excellent growth rates. In spite of this, and the increasing demand for this species, local commercial seed lots showed low quality, making hazardous seedling production. Aiming to upgrade germinability of a local seed lot, we set an experiment to determine the duration of the prechilling period (0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 60 days) that promoted the highest seed germination speed (GE) and percentage (GP). Moreover, part of that lot was IDS treated, in an attempt to separate empty and dead filled seeds from viable seeds. Results showed that after 40 days prechilling, GE reached 62%, and GP 70%, both higher than the values obtained under customary conditions. The application of the IDS technique, after 40 days prechilling, 8 h drying at ambient conditions (16 ± 2°C and 50% HR), and 25% seed moisture content (mc), increased GE and GP to 68% and 89%, respectively. Optimal prechilling periods and the application of the IDS technique successfully improved germinability of ponderosa pine seeds from Patagonian stands.     

Effects of presowing treatments, desiccation and storage conditions on germination of Strychnos nux-vomica seeds, a valuable medicinal plant

Seeds of Strychnos nux-vomica have slow and erratic germination; thus different presowing treatments were applied to enhance the germination of its seeds collected from Tamaraikulam, Tamil Nadu, India. In addition, the effects of desiccation and different storage conditions on the germination of S. nux-vomica seeds were investigated. The results show that soaking in 500 ppm gibberellic acid (GA₃) for 24 h, incubation of seeds at 40 °C for 3 days and alternate water soaking (16 h) and drying (8 h) for 14 days significantly increased the percentage germination compared to the control. Desiccation of seeds down to 10% moisture content resulted in better germination. Germination of S. nux-vomica seeds differed significantly between different storage periods, moisture contents of the seed and for first and second order interactions (p<0.001). The highest germination (92%) was achieved when seeds with 10% moisture content were stored at ambient temperature for 30 weeks. Evidence from the present study indicates that S. nux-vomica seeds possess physiological dormancy that can be broken effectively by after-ripening. As seeds of S. nux-vomica are found to be desiccation tolerant, dry seed (10% moisture content) can be hermitically stored at ambient temperature for 30 weeks without losing their viability.     

Seed dormancy in bay laurel (Laurus nobilis L.)

The germination of bay laurel (Laurus nobilis L.) seeds wasexamined both in the laboratory and in the field during twoyears. Seeds were collected from a grove in a garden in the townof Drama, Northern Greece, by mid November in the first year andby late November in the second year. The seeds with and withoutpericarp were given a warm-moist (20 °C day/12 °C night) oncold-moist (4±1 °C) treatment in peat or sand. After treatment theseeds were placed in the germinator along with controls. Thegermination of seeds with and without pericarp was alsoinvestigated in the field (late fall sowing). It was found thatthe pericarp caused dormancy. In seeds without pericarp,cold-moist and warm-moist stratification both proved to besuccessful in breaking embryo dormancy (100% and 96% successrespectively). The required stratification duration was 50 daysfor the warm-moist and 60 days for the cold-moist treatments.During the cold-moist stratification no germination was observed.On the other hand, seeds started to germinate during thewarm-moist stratification by about the 50th day. In the fallsowing germination was 20% for seeds with pericarp and 41% for seeds without pericarp. Drying bay laurel seeds caused areduction of the seed germination.     

Seed Development, Maturation and Storage Behaviour of Mimusops elengi L.

Mass maturity (end of the seed-filling phase) occurred at about 72 days after flowering (DAF) in developing seeds of Mimusops elengi, at which time seed moisture content had declined to about 55%. The onset of ability to germinate was detected at 56 DAF and seeds showed 98% germination by 84 DAF. Tolerance of desiccation to 10% moisture content was first detected at 70 DAF and was maximal by 84 DAF. Delaying collection by a further 14 days to 98 DAF, when fruits began to be shed, reduced seed viability, particularly for seeds first dried to 10% moisture content. Hence the best time for seed collection appears to be about 14 days before fruits shed. In a separate investigation with six different seed lots, desiccation below about 8–12% moisture content reduced viability (considerably in some lots). The viability of dry seeds (below about 10% moisture content) stored hermetically was reduced at cool temperatures (5 °C and below), and none survived storage at sub-zero temperatures. The results suggest that Mimusops elengi shows intermediate seed storage behaviour and that the optimal hermetic seed storage environment is about 10% moisture content at 10 °C, while short-term, moist, aerated storage at high (40%) moisture content is also feasible.     

山合欢种子超干燥贮藏的生理生化效应

采用正交设计从种子含水量、包装方法、保存温度和预回湿方法4个因素来探索山合欢种子超干燥保存的可行性。用硅胶将种子脱水至1.42%～6.35%6个含水量梯度,结合不同处理密封保存1年,随后测定发芽率和一些生理生化指标,包括相对电导率(RC)、脯氨酸(Pro)、丙二醛(MDA)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、可溶性总糖含量和脂肪酸组分。结果表明:种子含水量和预回湿方法对发芽率有显著影响,超干种子与未经超干处理的种子相比,发芽率有明显提高;超干种子发芽率与相对电导率和丙二醛含量呈显著负相关,与脯氨酸含量和3种抗氧化酶活性呈显著正相关;超干种子的油酸和α-亚麻酸含量比对照提高。适宜的超干处理能使抗氧化酶活性增强,使不饱和脂肪酸和可溶性总糖的含量增加,从而减缓种子生活力下降。     

Effect of Seed Maturity and Pretreatment on Dormancy and Germination of Sorbus mougeotii Seeds

The effect of harvest time on seed germination, desiccation tolerance and level of dormancy is not known in Sorbus mougeotii (Soyer-Will. & Godron). Dry weight (DW), moisture content (MC) and leakage conductivity (LC) were tested on seeds from six harvest times. Chilling requirement and germinability were tested on seeds without drying and after drying and rehydration. The effect of postharvest ripening of seeds with or without drying was also tested. The DW was stable during the last 6 weeks of maturation, whereas MC initially decreased but later increased simultaneously with an increase in LC. Seeds were desiccation tolerant, deeply dormant and after a chilling treatment germinated to a high percentage at all harvest times. The chilling requirement decreased significantly with later harvest, suggesting a decrease in level of dormancy. Drying and postharvest ripening reduced and synchronized the chilling requirement.     

Effects of artificial environmental conditions on anatomical and physiological ripening of Pinus sylvestris L. seeds

To determine suitable conditions for artificial ripening of Scots pine seeds, cones collected on seven occasions between August 6 and November 26, 1990, in northern Sweden, were subjected to artificial ripening at different temperatures (+5°–+15°C) and cone moisture contents for 3–9 weeks. Complete physiological ripening and improved seed vigour were attained after artificial ripening if collection occurred no earlier than the beginning of September. The highest germination percentage after artificial ripening, ca 90%, was achieved for seeds collected after the anatomical ripening in nature had ceased and was at least as high as for seeds ripened in nature. Temperature did not influence ripening, whereas a low cone moisture content impaired ripening of those seeds collected earliest. The germination percentage was not influenced by 2–6 months of cone storage subsequent to artificial ripening, but seed vigour was impaired. Anatomical ripening during artificial ripening was very limited.     

Study of Ultra-drying on Vigor and Physiological Characteristics of Lespedeza bicolor Seeds

Ultra-drying (in a desiccator with silica gel) and accelerated aging (50 oC, 30 d) of Lespedeza bicolor seeds from the arid and semiarid areas of northwest China were studied. The results showed that in the moisture content of seed ( 43?70 g/kg), germination percentage and vigor indices had no significant differences; ultra-dried seeds had a stronger anti-aging ability than those with natural drying, and the best MC for the storage was 43 g/kg. Therefore, it was feasible to store L. bicolor seeds with ultra...     

Seed germination of six mature neotropical rain forest species in response to dehydration

We studied effects of dehydration and rehydration on germination of seeds of six mature tropical rain forest species-Cupania glabra Swartz, Cymbopetalum baillonii Fries, Poulsenia armata (Miq.) Standl., Stemmadenia donnell-smithii (Rose) Woodson, Rheedia edulis Triana & Planch. and an understory palm Chamaedorea alternans H. Wendl.-from Veracruz, México. Before the seeds were sown, their water content was reduced by 0 (control), 30, 54 and 72% of their original water content. Dehydration affects the ability of seeds to rehydrate, as well as the rate and final percentage of germination when seeds are subsequently rehydrated. Seed survival and germination behavior showed three patterns: (1) C. baillonii, P. armata and S. donnell-smithii had greater tolerance to seed dehydration than C. glabra, C. alternans and R. edulis; (2) partial dehydration enhanced germinability of C. glabra and C. baillonii seeds; and (3) partial dehydration of C. alternans and R. edulis seeds resulted in delayed or sporadic germination. A relationship was found between the effects of dehydration on germination and the seasonality of seed production.     

坡柳种子对脱水干燥的生理生化响应

为研究超干燥保存手段运用于坡柳种子的可行性,采用正交设计从种子含水量、包装方法、保存温度和预回湿方法4个因素来分析.用硅胶将种子脱水至1.12％～6.13％6个含水量梯度,结合不同处理密封保存1年,随后测定发芽率和一些生理生化指标,包括相对电导率(RC)、脯氨酸(Pro)、丙二醛(MDA)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过...     

不同引发处理对了哥王种子萌发的影响

以了哥王种子为材料,通过比较不同浓度的GA3、PEG、NaCl、复合盐KNO3·KH2PO4预浸种处理后种子发芽率、发芽势、发芽指数、活力指数等指标,研究不同引发剂对了哥王种子萌发的影响,结果表明：4种引发剂浸种处理均显著促进了哥王种子的萌发及幼苗生长,各指标提高效果均以GA3处理最好,PEG次之,再之为复合盐KNO3·KH2PO4, NaCl引发效果较差,并且随着引发剂浓度的升高呈先升高后降低的趋势。     

Maturity indices of Indian horse-chestnut (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Aesculus indica</Emphasis> Colebr.) seeds under temperate Kashmir conditions

Our study on maturity indices of Aesculus indica Colebr.seeds was conducted under temperate Kashmir conditions in 2006.Seed collection was started from 15 July and continued until the maturation of seeds in December.The seeds were harvested fortnightly from identified trees and on each collection date maturity indices,viz.seed color,seed weight,moisture content,seed dimension,specific gravity and germination percentage were recorded.The study revealed that at the time of maturity (Nov.–Dec.) the seed color ...     

13种竹种子低温储存条件及种子育苗环境研究

为解决竹子种子长期保存问题,以马来龙竹、云南龙竹、巨龙竹、金平龙竹、麻竹、长节勒竹、云南箭竹、棉花竹、爪哇巨竹、大泰竹、笻竹、方竹和毛竹13种竹子的成熟种子为材料,通过研究不同低温、低温下不同储存时间、不同含水量、不同发芽设施和不同基质对种子发芽率的影响,来判断竹子种子保存的适合条件。结果表明：1）除笻竹和方竹的种子外,大多数竹种的种子在低温储存5个月内,随着温度由10℃逐渐降低到-16℃,种子发芽率会有不同程度的增高;2）在-16℃条件下,随着储存时间的延长,种子发芽率会有所下降;3）种子含水量会在很大程度上影响种子的发芽率,含水量超过在一定临界值,随着含水量的增加,种子发芽率会显著下降;4）选择不同的种子发芽设施也会影响种子发芽率,生产中宜选用具有微喷灌条件的温室进行育苗;5）在无菌红土、黑土和蛭石这3种基质中,蛭石是竹子播种育苗的适宜基质。     

Effect of harvest date,drying, short-term storage and freezing after chilling on the germination of rowan seeds

The effects of seed pretreatment and harvest date on the germination of European rowan (Sorbus aucuparia L) seeds were examined. In one experiment, seeds were subjected to drying, storage, soaking, warm and chilling treatments after harvesting in mid- and late August. In another experiment, fully imbibed (FI) seeds were given warm treatment for six weeks and then various durations of chilling (4?±?1°C) for up to 24 weeks. Thereafter, the seeds were adjusted to target moisture content of 35% and 30% or remained in the FI state and were then subjected to either subsequent chilling or freezing (?3°C) for up to 32 weeks. The treated seeds were allowed to germinate at a constant 15°C with 8 hours of lighting per day. Treatment effects were generally consistent for each harvest date. Seeds did not germinate unless they were chilled and germination rates were low unless the seeds were soaked. Warm treatment applied before chilling appeared to induce dormancy. The effect of storage varied with harvest date and storage treatment, with germination being highest for seeds harvested in late August. Mild freezing of ≥16 weeks duration following 16–24 weeks initial chilling resulted in >80% germination, more than could be achieved using chilling alone.     

Germination and storage characteristics of Prunus africana seeds

Prunus africana, from the moist highlands of sub-Saharan Africa, is subject to great exploitation because its bark is used in the treatment of prostate-related diseases. A better understanding of the biology of its seed could help the ex situ and in situ conservation of the species. Fifty per cent of fresh seeds (46.8% MC) from mature purple fruits harvested in Kenya germinated after 10 days incubation at 25°C. The germination rate was linearly related to constant temperature, giving a prediction for the minimum temperature for germination at ca. 0.6°C. All seeds germinated at 5°C during 4 months fully hydrated storage. P. africana seed is, thus, neither dormant nor chilling sensitive. The relationship between equilibrium moisture content and relative humidity was used to construct a sorption isotherm, against which seed desiccation and storage responses were assessed. Seventy six per cent of mature seeds survived drying to 4.5% MC (22% RH) compared to 17% of seeds from immature purple-green fruits. Although, 25–45% of mature seeds survived at 8–12% MC after 2 months, only 10% remained viable after 6-month storage at 5°C. This study proposes optimum conditions for the artificial regeneration of P. africana seeds and highlights the need for further experiments storing dry seeds at sub-zero temperatures.     

Determination of Moisture Conditions using Pinus sylvestris Seeds as Biosensors

The aim of this study was to ascertain whether it might be possible to use seeds (Pinus sylvestris L.) as biosensors for determining seedbed moisture conditions by repeatedly weighing them during inhibition and desiccation. To make the seeds manageable, they were glued on to a Nylon thread. Tests were conducted in the laboratory under different moisture regimes (close to 75% and 100% air humidity with and without a wet substrate) to determine whether water uptake or water loss was influenced by this gluing. In a very moist environment (resulting in 40-50% seed weight change), the increase in seed weight was a few percentage units lower for glued seeds than for non - glued ones. However, gluing had no significant effect when seeds were exposed to air humidity only (10% and 20% seed weight change). It was concluded that it is possible to use seeds as biosensors for the determination of moisture conditions.     

自然脱水过程中七叶树种子生理特性的变化

于 2003 年研究了自然脱水过程中七叶树种子生理特性的变化。结果表明:七叶树种子对脱水高度敏感,为顽拗性种子。种子成熟采收时含水量高达 60.3%,种子在室温下自然干燥 30 天后,含水量下降到 30.2%,此时种子生活力完全丧失。在脱水初期,种子发芽率有所上升,但随后种子发芽率迅速降低。随着含水量的下降,种子浸出液相对电导率上升,但当含水量在 53.7% 到 50.9%之间时,种子浸出液相对电导率出现异常升高。同时种子超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)的活性随脱水时间的延长而下降,只有种子含水量在 53.7% 到 50.9%之间时出现例外。丙二醛(MDA)含量在脱水初期缓慢上升,在含水量下降到低于 50.9%时,丙二醛(MDA)含量快速上升。可溶性糖含量随脱水时间的延长缓慢上升。当种子含水量为 47%–60%时,种子发芽率较高,说明这一含水量区间有利于种子生活力的保持。图 6 参 13。     

Storage of non-dormant seeds of Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl

The effects of drying and storage on the quality of Fraxinus angustifolia non-dormant seeds have been investigated. Mature seeds subjected to a 2-week warm stratification (20 °C) followed by a 2-week cold stratification (3 °C), were exposed to a gentle air stream at room temperature to dry them to 9.5% moisture content. After 4, 8 and 12 months of storage at –3 °C, in hermetically sealed containers, germination tests were conducted in darkness at 30/20 °C and 25/5 °C to evaluate possible changes in seed quality. The results obtained suggest the feasibility of drying non-dormant seeds. In fact, though causing a slight decrease in seed quality, such a process enables storage of ready to sow seeds for at least 12 months without any further loss. The temperature regime of 30/20 °C, prescribed by the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA), was found to be suboptimal for the particular conditions tested in this trial, the 25/5 °C cycle being more stimulating for germination.     

Cryopreservation of dormant orthodox seeds of forest trees: mazzard cherry (Prunus avium L.)

? The sensitivity of dormant seeds of mazzard cherry (Prunus avium L.) of Polish provenances to extreme desiccation and/or the ultra-low temperature of liquid nitrogen, LN (?196 °C), was investigated to identify the optimum seed water content (w.c.) at this temperature.

? Germination and seedling emergence tests in this study showed that there is no critical seed w.c. for deeply desiccated seeds (stone w.c. 1.6%), although such desiccated seeds were sensitive to the temperature of LN in the seedling emergence test. For seeds frozen in LN, the highest germinability was observed at w.c. of 9.0–16.9%, but seedling emergence was then significantly lower than in nonfrozen seeds. The 2-year of storage in LN of seeds desiccated to 7.8% w.c. did not decrease germinability after thawing, in comparison with 2-year of storage at ?3 °C. Storage in LN showed that if seeds were stored after breaking of their dormancy, germinability after storage was lower because of the necessity of seed desiccation to the lower level (～ 8%) of w.c. after stratification (before storage). Secondary dormancy was induced in seeds desiccated after stratification.

? The results of this study demonstrate the potential for long-term cryopreservation of mazzard cherry seeds in forest gene banks.