Seed development, maturation and storage behaviour of Mimusops elengi L

Mai-Hong, T., Hong, T. D., Hien, N. T., Hai, H. H., Tung, T. D., Le-Tam, V. T., Ngoc-Tam, B. and Ellis, R. H. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3695-6894 (2006) Seed development, maturation and storage behaviour of Mimusops elengi L. New Forests, 32 (1). pp. 9-19. ISSN 0169-4286 doi: 10.1007/s11056-005-3144-1

Abstract/Summary

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 degrees 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 degrees C, while short-term, moist, aerated storage at high (40%) moisture content is also feasible.