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.     

Seed maturity indicators in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Myrica esculenta</Emphasis>, Buch-Ham. Ex. D.Don.: a multipurpose tree species of subtropical-temperate Himalayan region

Myrica esculenta, Buch-Ham. Ex. D.Don is a common under-canopy associate of chir pine and banj oak forests in the Kumaun and Garhwal Himalayas. The species commonly known as Kaiphal is a small moderate sized evergreen dioecious tree. The species is well known for its edible fruit and other by products and has emerged as a potential income generating species in the Kumaun and Garhwal region. The regeneration of Myrica esculenta is poor in natural habitats mainly due to intense anthropogenic pressure on it. To synchronize artificial regeneration of such species exact knowledge of maturity time is essential to avoid the collection of immature and non-viable seeds. Fruits of Myrica esculenta were collected from nine sites varying from lower, mid and high range of species distribution (900–2,100 masl) for assessing seed maturation indicators. Across all the sites the colour change from green to dark red/blackish red appears as one of the indicator of maturity. In addition to the colour change seed maturity and maximum germination was found in seeds when the weight of 100 fruits was between 41 and 60 g, fruit moisture content between 62 and 69% and seed moisture content between 30 and 32%.     

Physical attributes as indicator of seed maturity and germination enhancement in Himalayan Wild Cherry (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Prunus cerasoides</Emphasis> D. Don.)

Prunus cerasoides has poor regeneration in its natural habitat due to its hard seed coat. The information about maturity time of fruit/seed is scanty and studies on seed germination enhancement lacking. In the present study, the main focus has been given to the physical fruits/seeds attributes which are reliable indicators of maturity and seed pretreatments which help to enhance germination. The fruits/seeds were collected from low and high elevational sites covering the altitudinal range of the species during the period of fruit/seed development (last week of February–mid April) for two consecutive years (2003–2004). The change in fruit colour from dark green to pale red or red was a useful indicator of seed maturity in P. cerasoides. Fruit moisture content between 46.57 ± 0.45% and 56.81 ± 1.14% and seed moisture content between 29.8 ± 1.35% and 34.13 ± 1.50% coincided with maximum germination (41.11 ± 13.96% and 59.99 ± 12.05%) across sites. The removal of seed coat (mechanical treatment) enhanced the germination of seeds to 70 ± 0% at low elevation and 100 ± 0% at high elevation in comparison of control or untreated seeds (germination range between 5.83 ± 0.83% and 31.68 ± 25.02%). Positive correlation existed between seed size and germination (r = 0.280; P < 0.01).     

Desiccation and storage behavior of bay laurel (Laurus nobilis L.) seeds

The effect of seed moisture content (m.c.) and seed storage conditions of bay laurel (Laurus nobilis L.) was investigated in relation to seed viability. In the first experiment, the effect of drying rate on seed moisture and seed germination was investigated. Fresh seeds, with their original moisture content displayed a germination percentage of 55.1%. When the seed moisture content was reduced by 2.0% in an oven, the germination percentage rose to 81.0%. When the seed moisture content was reduced even more by using the same method, the germination percentages decreased dramatically. Reducing the seed moisture content to 28.7 and 23.5% by drying the seeds in alternating room conditions resulted in an increase of seed germinability to 84.3 and 90.9%, respectively. The drying of the seeds for 45, 60 and 75 days reduced their seed germination to 66.8, 49.4 and 48.0%, respectively. Reducing seed moisture content below 15.0% resulted in practically nullifying seed germinability. The fact that bay laurel seeds cannot retain their germinability at lower moisture contents demonstrates that it is a species with recalcitrant seeds. In the second experiment, moist and dry storage conditions were tested under different temperatures and moisture contents. The storage experiment showed that the most effective way of conserving the bay laurel seeds is moist storage at 0 ± 1°C for 4 months without previous drying of the seeds.     

Effect of collection date on capsule moisture content and germination of Populus ciliata Wall. ex Royle from central Himalaya

Seed maturity indices of Populus ciliata were investigated in collections from Sukhatal and Bhowali. Across both seed sources, mean capsule size varied from 68.0±1.5 mm² to 72.0±0.9 mm², while mean number of capsules/100 grams varied from 268±8 to 295±12. Mean weight of 100 capsules varied from 25.0±1.4 g to 27.0±1.4 g. Weight of 100 capsules among sources and individual trees differed significantly (P < 0.05), while number of capsules/100 grams and weight of 100 capsules was negatively correlated (r² = 0.69). As capsules matured moisture content decreased from 83.2±1.1% to 54.3±0.3% at Sukhatal and from 77.7±0.4% to 46.4±0.3% at Bhowali. The optimum germination was at 58–60% moisture content. Maturation was related to capsule colour changes as well as moisture content. These parameters were judged to be good indicators of when to collect P. ciliata seeds.     

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。     

空竹种子质量特性研究

测定分析了空竹种子的质量特性,结果表明:空竹种子为坚果状颖果,具有坚硬致密的外壳;种子纯净度为78.7%,千粒质量为709.8 g,含水量为25.4%;带壳的种子发芽率为6.3%、发芽势为2.2%,去壳的种子发芽率为34.5%、发芽势为12.6%;种子优良度为95.2%,病虫害感染度为3.3%。空竹种子育苗出苗缓慢,出苗率低。     

Effect of sowing date on seedling emergence of species with seeds enclosed in a stony endocarp

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of the natural sequence of temperature conditions between the time of seed sowing and their germination on dormancy release of Prunus avium, P. mahaleb, P. divaricata, P. laurocerasus, P. spinosa, Cornus mas, C. sanguinea, and Celtis australis seeds which are enclosed in a hard stony endocarp. According to their collection date, the seeds (with the endocarp) of the above species were sown outdoor in summer, autumn, and winter and the number of emerged seedlings was counted during the following two springs. For all species, the first sowing date was immediately after seed collection and cleaning. In all species, seedling emergence occurred in early spring and dormancy was released only after the exposure of seeds to specific season conditions. The exposure of seeds of all studied species, except C. australis, to a period of warm temperatures prior to winter was necessary for dormancy breaking and germination. Autumn sowing of P. laurocerasus and C. sanguinea seeds, which were collected in summer, and the sowing immediately after seed collection of the rest species, resulted in a maximum percentage of seedling emergence in the following spring.     

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。     

Longevity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Juniperus procera</Emphasis> seed lots under different storage conditions: implications for ex situ conservation in seed banks

Juniperus procera Endl. is economically important timber species, but its populations are extremely small and fragmented in its natural habitat, thus, calling for immediate ex situ conservation. Here we examined the effects of seed sources and storage temperature on the longevity of Juniperus procera seed lots through collection and preservation of seeds in seed banks. Seeds were collected from nine sites across the species natural distribution in Ethiopia and stored in four warehouses: modern cold room (5℃), mud house (15℃), concrete block house (17℃ or corrugated iron house (20℃) for 42 months. Every three months, a random sample of stored seeds were drawn and tested for germination. A highly significant variation (p < 0.01) in germination of stored seeds was observed among different storage environments, seed lots, and duration of storage. Over the storage period, seeds stored in the cold room had the highest mean percentage germination, followed by the mud house, corrugated house and blocket house. The cold room (41%) and the mud house (38%) maintained the same level of germination as the intitial germination of the seedlotds (42%). The variation in longevity of stored seeds was significnatly correlated with the initial germination of seed lots (r > 0.80; p < 0.01). Cold storage also resulted in enhancement of germination through its stratification effect that terminated the non-deepphysiological dormancy of juniper seeds. In conclusion, seed lots with good initial germination can be effectively stored in cold room (5℃) up to four years. In the absence of modern cold stores, mud houses can be used as a good alternative to store seeds at local level.     

Variable dormancy in seed of Pinus contorta

Seeds of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. var. latifolia Engelm.) collected southwest of Grande Praire, Alberta at three different times and altitudes between August 20, 1984 and August 15, 1985 showed variable responses to stratification. The responses were related to seed ripeness, as judged through evaluations of cone moisture contents, and with the length of time that the cones had remained on the trees. Unripe seeds started to lose germination in the third year after pollination when on the tree. Mature seeds which lost germination by late fall 1984 regained it by the next fall, while most unripe seeds did not. Immature seeds increased their need for stratification over time while mature seeds did not. Seeds should be left on the tree until the end of the third year to insure maximum viability because they do not reach maturity until then.     

檫木种子贮藏试验

以檫木成熟种子为试验材料,开展种子贮藏试验,研究种子含水率和贮藏温度对种子生活力的影响。结果表明:檫木种子采集后自然阴干最好不要超过16 h,否则其生活力显著降低;在低温(4℃)贮藏过程中,将种子含水率控制在30%~40%,短期能有效保持檫木种子生活力。     

Variability in cone and seed characteristics and seed testing in various provenances of Himalayan spruce (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Picea smithiana</Emphasis>)

We investigated the effect of provenance variation on cone and seed morphology and germination behaviour under different pre- treatments in Picea smithiana. Three categories of cones were recognized: large (13.18 cm × 3.30 cm 15.42 cm × 4.35 cm), medium (10.85 cm × 3.93 cm 12.18 cm × 3.98 cm) and small (7.69 cm × 3.06 10.98 cm× 3.39 cm). Significant variation was observed for various cone and seed characteristics. Seeds moisture content varied from 44.48% to 56.91%, seed size from 0.64 cm × 0.31 cm (largest seed) to 0.49 cm × 0.10 cm (smallest seed), and the seed weight from 2.45 g per 100 seeds to 1.36 g per 100 seeds on fresh weight basis of P. smithiana. The highest seed germination (72.0±7.53%) at 10°C was observed under chilling treatment in Tapovan provenance, while the minimum (15.0±5.71%) seed germina- tion was recorded at 25°C under control set in Tapovan provenance. Further among all the sources Pandukeshwar consistently had the highest average (38%) percent germination across all treatments. Compared to other temperature regimes and pretreatments, seeds subjected to 10°C and chilling treatment had the highest germination and took the least time for germination irrespective of provenance effects. Altitude (provenance) had little or no relationship with germination following laboratory treat- ments. Seeds from Tapovan provenance subjected at 10°C following chilling treatment may be suggested for further multiplication of this species.     

Target seed moisture content,chilling and priming pretreatments influence germination temperature response in Alnus glutinosa and Betula pubescens

Abstract

The response of common alder [Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn.] and downy birch (Betula pubescens Ehrh.) seeds to germination temperature was examined following chilling and priming. Seeds of two seed lots of each species were subjected to combinations of chilling (4±1°C) and priming (20°C) treatments in fully imbibed (FI) state or a lower target seed moisture content (TMC) level (30% and 35% in alder and birch, respectively). After treatment, the seeds were allowed to germinate for 56 days at constant temperatures of 7.5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30°C. The response to temperature and pretreatment differed between species, but the effect was consistent in each seed lot within each species. In alder, the TMC seeds germinated well across the full range of temperatures, whereas there was an optimum temperature (22–23°C) for seeds given the FI pretreatment. Priming had no significant effect on the germination response of the TMC seeds in alder, but priming greatly improved germination in the FI seeds, especially at the lower germination temperatures (optimum 18–19°C). In contrast, in birch, the TMC seeds germinated better across the full temperature range, but the optimal germination temperature (15°C) was the same for all seed pretreatments. Priming improved germination in both the FI and TMC seeds in birch.     

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.     

Genetic variation in wood specific gravity among half-sib families of chir pine (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus roxburghii</Emphasis> sargent)

Chir pine (Pinus roxburghii) is an important tree species that grows all along the Himalayas. Wood specific gravity of chir pine before and after removal of extractives from wood increment cores was assessed from a 22-years-old progeny test in Himachal Pradesh, India. These values averaged 0.433 and 0.425, respectively. A large amount of genetic variation among the 58 half-sib families was found as indicated by range of values, additive coefficient of variation, variance estimates and narrow-sense heritability values for these traits. Moisture and extractive content averaged 86.259% of oven-dry weight and 2.003% of extractive-free oven-dry weight, respectively. Wood extractive content was highly variable and the family differences were highly heritable (h _f² = 0.5831). There was wide variability in moisture content, but a large portion of it was due to environmental or non-additive component of genetic variation. Heritability on family mean basis was found to be lower than that on individual tree basis for each trait. Estimated gain in specific gravity resulting from 30 to 50% family selection ranged from 0.0080 to 0.0127. Growth data and specific gravity were not significantly correlated implying that selection for higher growth rate would not necessarily result in reduction in wood specific gravity in chir pine.     

Quantitative Genetic Variability in Picralima nitida (Stapf) from Seven Sources in Nigeria

Intraspecific variation in useful tree species is a requirement for any improvement program. Fruits of P. nitida were collected from seven different sources along its geographic range in Nigeria; metrical traits of seeds and resulting seedlings were assessed as well as the biomass. There were significant (p ≤ .05) differences in seed metrical traits of length, width, and weight. Seeds from J4 had the highest germination percentage of 95%, while Ore had the lowest percentage of 70. Highest mean values of 2.22 g, 3.11 cm, and 95 for weight, length, and number of seeds per pod, respectively, were obtained from Edo seeds. There were significant (p ≤ .05) differences in seedlings height, collar diameter, number of leaves, internodes, stem dry weight, root dry weight, leaf dry weight, total dry weight, and leaf area among the sources. The highest mean values of 4.33 cm (collar diameter), 2.31 cm (internodes length), were obtained from Edo collection. Other seedling traits and biomass indices were highest in J4 provenance. J4 seedlings had the highest average relative growth rate (RGR) values of 0.0450 gg^?1 wk^?1 while Etemi seedlings had the highest average net assimilation rate (NAR) value of 0.0063 g² wk^?1. J4 propagule had the best overall performance and is therefore recommended as a seed source for the improvement and conservation of Picralima nitida.     

不同采摘时间及采后不同处理对茶果相关指标影响

为了确定油茶最佳采摘时间和采后处理方法,选取生长长势一致6年生湘林210号和长林18号普通油茶优良无性系,分别在不同成熟阶段进行采摘,对采摘后进行不同方法处理,并测定油茶单果重、果皮含水量、籽重、籽含水率、仁出油率等相关指标,结果表明:不同采摘时间湘林210号单果重变化较大,随着成熟程度增加单果重略有降低,长林18号的单果重则是逐步上升;随着采摘时间变化,湘林210号和长林18号的果皮含水量都有不同程度增加;随着采摘时间越靠后,湘林210号茶籽重略有下降,长林18号,茶籽重逐渐上升,茶籽含水率两者都呈现下降趋势;不同采摘时间两个品种在未后熟和经后熟时仁出油率差异较大,但总体来看,长林18号油茶仁出油率比湘林210号仁出油率值高;茶籽不同存放方法,随着存放时间增加,去皮籽含水量不断减少,带皮籽含水量先增加后下降,去皮籽出仁率先下降后上升,带皮籽出仁率先增加后下降,仁出油率都表现为先上升后下降再上升,去皮仁出油率始终比带皮高。     

Seed Maturation Indicators in Pyracantha crenulata Roxb. in Kumaun Central Himalaya

Fruits of Pyracantha crenulata were collected from two locations varying by approximately 550 m in elevation from south aspect for assessing seed maturation indicators. The mean seed size (length×diameter) across the collection dates varied between 1.61 ± 0.7 and 4.93 ± 0.06 mm² across both the locations. The seed moisture content negatively correlated with germination. The change in fruit colour from dark green to light orange, the range of fruit moisture content (30.43% ± 0.06 to 36.10% ± 0.25) and the seed moisture content between 68.8% ± 0.68 and 71.6 ± 0.62 coincided with maximum germination and appear to be major indicators of seed maturation in Pyracantha crenulata.