Priming and storage of tomato (Lycopersicon lycopersicum) seeds. I. Effects of storage temperature on germination rate and viability
1988
A:PS
Details
Title
Priming and storage of tomato (Lycopersicon lycopersicum) seeds. I. Effects of storage temperature on germination rate and viability
Author
Alvarado, A.D.
Bradford, K.J.
Bradford, K.J.
Publication Date
1988
Call Number
A:PS
Summary
Tomato seeds (Lycopersicon lycopersicum `UC204` and `6203`) were primed in aerated solutions of 3% (w/v) KNO3 or of polyethylene glycol 8000 of equivalent osmotic potential (-1.25 MPa; 314 g/kg of water) at 20 C for seven days, rinsed, and dried in forced air at 30 C. The mean times to germination (T50) at 20 C were reduced by 56% and 41% for KNO3 and PEG treatments, respectively, with no immediate effects on viability. The influence of storage temperature on the longevity of the priming effect on T50 and the consequences for seed viability during storage were analysed. Primed and control seeds of each variety were stored at 6% moisture content (dry weight basis) in sealed containers at 10 C, 20 C and 30 C. At 10 C and 20 C, all seed lots retained high viability for at least 18 months. Control and PEG-treated developing from the KNO3-primed seeds were reduced after only five months of 30 C storage. The reduction in T50 due to the priming treatments persisted for at least 18 months in seeds stored at 20 C or lower temperatures. Primed seeds, however, particularly when treated with KNO3, lost vigour and viability more rapidly than untreated seeds when stored at 30 C. [AS]
Journal Citation
v.16(3):601-612, SEED SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Contact Information
harvest@worldveg.org
Record Appears in
Research > Published Articles