Effect of maturity and storage conditions on the germination of Mango (Mangifera indica L.) seed stones

Three experiment were carried-out under nursery conditions at the Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Khartoum (Latitude 15 deg C 40 N and longitude 32 deg C 32 E). In the first experiment the effect of stage of seed development and maturity on germination percentage, number of days required for emergence of seedlings and (fresh/dry) weight of mango seed stones were studied. In the second experiment the influence of storage of mango seed stones in different containers for different duration at two different degrees of temperature on germination percentage was determined. The third experiment, however, studied the effect of storage of seed stones within the fruit for different duration and at two different degrees of temperature, on germination percentage. The results of the first experiment indicated that seed maturity had a significant effect on germination percentage. Seed germination percentage increased with the increase in seed maturity. While number of days required for germination tended to decrease. Dry weight increased and moisture content decreased with maturity. However, seed maturity had no significant effect on seed fresh weight. In the second experiment, the results showed that sowing of seed stones after 2 weeks from extraction resulted in fewer days to germinate and gave higher values of germination percentage than storage for 4 and 8 weeks after extraction. However seed stones which were sown after 12 weeks failed to germinate. Germination percentage of seed stones stored at room temperature was higher than storage in the refrigerator. Polyethylene bags + charcoal was the best media for storage followed by cloth bags + charcoal. In the third experiment, the results demonstrated that storage of mango seed stones within fruits had a significant effect on germination percentage where storage for 2 weeks had higher germination percentage compare to 4 weeks. After 8 and 12 weeks seed stone failed to germinate. Storage of seed stones within fruits at room temperature was better than storage in refrigerator with respect to germination percentage but it had no significant effect on number of days required for emergence