Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
operculum has resulted in very high levels of germination, as the seeds have
multiple embryos. Research has shown that removal of the operculum is not
essential for successful germination, but it is very important to keep seeds dry
during the cold months and to germinate them when the mean maximum
temperature is at least 21°C. Keeping seeds dry in the cold season after fruit
ripening is important in releasing them from dormancy as moisture in winter
causes seeds to develop deeper dormancy.
Table 19.1. Seed pretreatments used to achieve best germination of miombo fruit tree seeds.
Germination
Fruit tree species
Seed pretreatment
rate (%)
References
Adansonia digitata
No treatment; scarification by
82-96
Mwabumba and Sitaubi, 1995
cold water, hot water or
manual partial nicking
Azanza garckeana
Nicking to partially remove
100
Prins and Maghembe, 1994
seed coat (i.e. making a
hole in the seed coat)
Diospyros mespiliformis
Removing the fruit pulp before
80-87
Prins and Maghembe, 1994
sowing (no treatment)
Nicking to partially remove
seed coat
Flacourtia indica
Removing the fruit pulp
20
Prins and Maghembe, 1994
before sowing
Parinari curatellifolia
Nicking seeds or complete
17-30
Prins and Maghembe, 1994;
removal of seed coat
Swai et al. , 2004
Sclerocarya birrea
Removal of the operculum for
80
Teichman et al. , 1986
14-23 months
Soaking in potassium hydroxide
(1 mol) for 24 h
Strychnos cocculoides
Cleaning seeds by removing all
80-90
Prins and Maghembe, 1994;
the mesocarp and soaking
Swai et al. , 2004;
for 24 h
Mkonda et al. , 2004;
Mateke and Tshikae, 2002
Syzygium cordatum
Cleaning seeds by removing all
93
Prins and Maghembe, 1994
the mesocarp and soaking for 24 h
Uapaca kirkiana
Cleaning seeds by removing all
100
Prins and Maghembe, 1994
the mesocarp and soaking for 24 h
Nicking seeds
Vangueria infausta
Nicking seeds
40
Prins and Maghembe, 1994
Vitex mombassae
Complete removal of seed coat
69
Swai et al. , 2004
Ziziphus mauritiana
Removing the fruit pulp before sowing
Cleaning seeds and placing in
70
Mwabumba and Sitaubi, 1995
0.5 l warm water at 65°C, then
leaving to cool for 24 h; manual
scarification by nicking
 
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