Gas chromatograph analysis on closed nitrous oxide and air atmospheres of recalcitrant Quercus alba seeds

Storage of recalcitrant seeds remains an unsolved problem. The study of gaseous atmospheres could provide insights in understanding the metabolism of recalcitrant seeds and their potential in being used as means for storage. This study investigated the metabolism of the recalcitrant Quercus alba seeds when subjected under nitrous oxide (N₂O) and air atmospheres. Seeds were placed in sealed atmospheric flasks of 98/2% N₂O/O₂. Three experiments were conducted to determine N₂O uptake in relation to oxygen (O₂) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels. For the first experiment, “non-renewed” closed atmospheric systems with 98/2% N₂O/O₂ and air were used. Two more experiments were also conducted for the 98/2% N₂O/O₂ atmosphere to determine how rate of gas renewal (two and seven days) affects the N₂O, O₂, and CO₂ gases quantitatively. Cumulative results on non-renewed flasks with 98/2% N₂O/O₂ showed that as time progressed, N₂O uptake increased with variation in the magnitude of N₂O utilization throughout the 37 experimental days, while seeds ceased O₂ utilization by the 11th day. However, CO₂ levels did not decrease, suggesting a shift toward fermentation processes. Finally, the two experiments for the 98/2% N₂O/O₂ indicated that the O₂ levels did not deplete under a two-day gas renewal, suggesting a frequent gas renewal under low O₂ storage conditions.