Desiccation studies on mahogany (swietenia macrophylla) seeds
2001
M. N. Normah | M. Marzalina
Studies of desiccation effect on mahogany seeds were conductedto determine the best condition to reduce seed moisture content without affecting itsviability. Four types of desiccation methods, namely, ambient temperature of 28 °C (inincubator), cold room of 21 °C (in laboratory), circulated air oven at 35 °C and silicagel (in desiccator at 25 °C) were tested on seeds with and without testa. All fourdesiccation treatments maintained high germination between 70-78% for seedswith testa. Ambient and cold conditioned seeds without testa resulted in 55-70%germination. Overall results showed that a gradual reduction of moisture contentto the lowest safe level while maintaining high viability can be achieved using ambientand cold conditioned desiccation techniques. Oven and silica gel desiccationmethods increased respiration rate and cellular leachate conductivity, especiallyfor seeds without testa. Light microscopy showed that cells of seeds without testadesiccated using oven and silica gel had damaged cell walls and cytoplasms. Theseinjuries did not occur in cells of seeds with testa. It was concluded that mahoganyseeds with testa can be stored for a short-term period if the moisture content is reducedgradually to 2-9% using environmental condition of 21-28 °C.
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