Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-m6dg7 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-10-30T05:58:58.920Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Effect of storage temperature and moisture on the germination of papaya seeds

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2008

R. H. Ellis*
Affiliation:
Department of Agriculture, University of Reading, Earley Gate, PO Box 236, Reading RG6 2AT, UK
T. D. Hong
Affiliation:
Department of Agriculture, University of Reading, Earley Gate, PO Box 236, Reading RG6 2AT, UK
E. H. Roberts
Affiliation:
Department of Agriculture, University of Reading, Earley Gate, PO Box 236, Reading RG6 2AT, UK
*
* Correspondence

Abstract

Seeds of papaya (Carica papaya L.) stored for 12 months at 15°C with 7.9–9.4% moisture content maintained their original germination. In contrast, many seeds stored cooler or drier lost viability, the losses occurring more rapidly at −20°C than at either 0°C or 15°C. The results are not compatible with the definitions of either orthodox or recalcitrant seed storage behaviour.

Type
Short Communication
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1991

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Bass, L.N. (1975) Seed storage of Carica papaya L. Hort Science 10, 232.Google Scholar
Becwar, M.R., Stanwood, P.C. and Leonhardt, K.W. (1983) Dehydration effects on freezing characteristics and survival in liquid nitrogen of desiccation-tolerant and desiccation-sensitive seeds. Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science 108, 613618.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Briggs, G.E. (1967) Movement of water in plants. Oxford, UK, Blackwell Scientific Publications.Google Scholar
Chin, H.F. (1988) Recalcitrant seeds – a status report. Rome, Italy, International Board for Plant Genetic Resources.Google Scholar
Ellis, R.H. (1987) Monitoring the viability of seed accessions. FAO/IBPGR Plant Genetic Resources Newsletter 71, 1621.Google Scholar
Ellis, R.H., Hong, T.D. and Roberts, E.H. (1985) Handbook of seed technology for genebanks. Volume II. Compendium of specific germination information and test recommendations. Rome, Italy, International Board for Plant Genetic Resources.Google Scholar
Ellis, R.H., Hong, T.D. and Roberts, E.H. (1989) A comparison of the low-moisture-content limit to the logarithmic relation between seed moisture and longevity in twelve species. Annals of Botany 63, 601611.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ellis, R.H., Hong, T.D. and Roberts, E.H. (1990a) Effect of moisture content and method of rehydration on the susceptibility of pea seeds to imbibition damage. Seed Science and Technology 18, 131137.Google Scholar
Ellis, R.H., Hong, T.D. and Roberts, E.H. (1990b) An intermediate category of seed storage behaviour? I. Coffee. Journal of Experimental Botany 41, 11671174.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Goldbach, H. (1979) Germination and storage of Bixa orellana seeds. Seed Science and Technology 7, 399402.Google Scholar
Hofmann, P. and Steiner, A.M. (1989) An updated list of recalcitrant seeds. Landwirtschaftliche Forschung 42, 310323.Google Scholar
International Seed Testing Association (1985) International rules for seed testing. Rules 1985. Seed Science and Technology 13, 299355.Google Scholar
King, M.W. and Roberts, E.H. (1979) The storage of recalcitrant seeds: achievements and possible approaches. Rome, Italy, International Board for Plant Genetic Resources.Google Scholar
Klingmüller, W. (1961) Die Schädigung von Vicia faha Samen durch Trocknung — ein umkehrbarer Effekt. Planta 56, 290301.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Nutile, G.E. (1964) Effect of desiccation on viability of seeds. Crop Science 4, 325328.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pérez, A., Reyes, M.N. and Cuevas, J. (1980) Germination of two papaya varieties: Effect of seed aeration, K-treatment, removing of the sarcotesta, high temperature, soaking in distilled water, and age of seeds. Journal of Agriculture of University of Puerto Rico 64, 173180.Google Scholar
Probert, R.J. and Longley, P.L. (1989) Recalcitrant seed storage physiology in three aquatic grasses (Zizania palustris, Spartina angelica and Porteresia coarctata) adapted to aquatic habits. Annals of Botany 63, 5363.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Roberts, E.H. (1973) Predicting the storage life of seeds. Seed Science and Technology 1, 499514.Google Scholar
Roberts, E.H. and Ellis, R.H. (1989) Water and seed survival. Annals of Botany 63, 3952.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Roberts, E.H., King, M.W. and Ellis, R.H. (1984) Recalcitrant seed: their recognition and storage. pp. 3852 in Holden, J.H.W. and Williams, J.T. (Eds) Crop genetic resources: conservation and evaluation. London, UK, George Allen and Unwin.Google Scholar
Seaton, P.T and Hailes, N.S.J. (1989) Effect of temperature and moisture content on the viability of Cattleya aurantiaca seed. pp. 1729 in Pritchard, H.W. (Ed.) Modern methods in orchid conservation: the role of physiology ecology and management. Cambridge, UK, Cambridge University Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Teng, Y.T. and Hor, Y.L. (1976) Storage of tropical fruit seeds. pp. 135146 in Chin, H.F., Enoch, I.C. and Raja, Harun R.M. (Eds) Seed technology in the tropics. Selangor, Universiti Pertanian Malaysia.Google Scholar
Tompsett, P.B. (1984) Desiccation studies in relation to the storage of Araucaria seed. Annals of Applied Biology 105, 581586.CrossRefGoogle Scholar