Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-2brh9 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-24T13:59:22.476Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Seed storage behaviour in Elaeis guineensis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2008

R. H. Ellis*
Affiliation:
Department of Agriculture, University of Reading, Earley Gate, PO Box 236, Reading RG6 2AT, UK
T. D. Hong
Affiliation:
Department of Agriculture, University of Reading, Earley Gate, PO Box 236, Reading RG6 2AT, UK
E. H. Roberts
Affiliation:
Department of Agriculture, University of Reading, Earley Gate, PO Box 236, Reading RG6 2AT, UK
U. Soetisna
Affiliation:
Department of Agriculture, University of Reading, Earley Gate, PO Box 236, Reading RG6 2AT, UK
*
* Correspondence

Abstract

Seed viability was maintained in four cultivars of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) during 12 months of hermetic storage at 15°C with 10–12% moisture content (embryo moisture contents of 19–21%). The viability of both these and drier seeds was reduced greatly during this period at cooler storage temperatures of 0°C and −20°C, however. For example, intact seeds at 6.1–7.4% moisture content (embryo moisture contents of 9.1–12.0%, at which freezing damage would not be expected) lost viability more rapidly at 0°C and −20°C than at 15°C. Moreover, desiccation to 4–5% moisture content (4–6% embryo moisture content) reduced seed lot viability in some but not all cultivars. The results confirm earlier reports that oil palm is not recalcitrant, but neither is it orthodox. Thus, seed storage behaviour in oil palm appears to be intermediate between these categories. Additional results are presented which suggest that the seeds of the royal palm (Oreodoxa regia HBK) may also show intermediate seed storage behaviour.

Type
Research Papers
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1991

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Footnotes

1

Present address: Research and Development Center for Biotechnology, Jl. Juanda 18, Bogor, Indonesia.

References

Al-Madeni, M.A. and, Tisserat, B., (1986) Survival of palm seeds under cryogenic conditions. Seed Science and Technology 14, 7985.Google Scholar
Anon. (1981) Revised priorities among crops and regions. Rome, International Board for Plant Genetic Resources.Google Scholar
Dickie, J.B., Ellis, R.H., Kraak, H.L., Ryder, K. and Tompsett, P.B., (1990) Temperature and seed storage longevity. Annals of Botany 65, 197204.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ellis, R.H., Hong, T.D. and Roberts, E.H., (1985) Handbook of seed technology for genebanks. Volume II. Compendium of specific germination information and test recommendations. Rome, International Board for Plant Genetic Resources.Google Scholar
Ellis, R.H., Hong, T.D. and Roberts, E.H., (1990). An intermediate category of seed storage behaviour? I. Coffee. Journal of Experimental Botany 41, 11671174.Google Scholar
Ellis, R.H., Hong, T.D. and Roberts, E.H., (1991a) An intermediate category of seed storage behaviour? II. Effects of provenance, immaturity and imbibition on desiccation-tolerance in coffee. Journal of Experimental Botany 42, 653657.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ellis, R.H., Hong, T.D. and Roberts, E.H., (1991b) Effect of storage temperature and moisture on the germination of papaya seeds. Seed Science Research 1, 6972.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Goldbach, H., (1979) Germination and storage of Bixa orellana seeds. Seed Science and Technology 7, 399402.Google Scholar
Grout, B.W.W., Shelton, K. and Pritchard, H.W., (1983) Orthodox behaviour of oil palm seed and cryopreservation of the excised embryo for genetic conservation. Annals of Botany 52, 381384.Google Scholar
Guppy, H.B., (1912) Studies in seeds and fruits. London, Williams & Norgate.Google Scholar
Hartley, C.W.S. (1988) The oil palm (3rd Edn). London, Longman.Google Scholar
Hofmann, P. and Steiner, A.M., (1989) An updated list of recalcitrant seeds. Landwirtschaftliche Forschung 42, 310323.Google Scholar
King, M.W. and Roberts, E.H., (1979) The storage of recalcitrant seeds: achievements and possible approaches. Rome, International Board for Plant Genetic Resources.Google Scholar
Mok, C.K. and Hor, Y.L., (1977) The storage of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) seed after high temperature treatment. Seed Science and Technology 5, 499508.Google Scholar
Rabéchault, H., Aheé, J. and Guénin, G., (1968) Recherches sur la culture ‘in vitro’ des embryons de palmier à huile (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.). IV. Effets de la teneur en eau des noix et de la dureé de leur stockage. Oléagineux 23, 233237.Google Scholar
Rabéchault, H., Guénin, G. and Aheé, J., (1969) Recherches sur la culture ‘in vitro’ des embryons de palmier à huile (Elaeis guineensis Jacq. var. dura Becc.). VI. Effets de la déshydration naturelle et d'une réhydratation de noix dormantes et non dormantes. Oléagineux 24, 263268.Google Scholar
Rees, A.R., (1965) Some factors affecting the viability of oil palm seed in storage. Journal of the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research 15, 317324.Google Scholar
Roberts, E.H., (1973) Predicting the storage life of seeds. Seed Science and Technology 1, 499514.Google Scholar
Roberts, E.H. and Ellis, R.H., (1989) Water and seed survival. Annals of Botany 63, 3952.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Roberts, E.H., King, M.W. and Ellis, R.H., (1984) Recalcitrant seeds: their recognition and storage. pp. 3852 in Holden, J.H.W. and Williams, J.T., (Eds) Crop genetic resources: conservation and evaluation. London, George Allen & Unwin.Google Scholar
Seaton, P.T. and Hailes, N.S.J. (1989) Effect of temperature and moisture content on the viability of Cattleya aurantiaca seed. pp. 1729 in Pritchard, H.W., (Ed.) Modern methods in orchid conservation: the role of physiology, ecology and management. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
Teng, Y.T. and Hor, Y.L., (1976) Storage of tropical fruit seeds. pp. 135146 in Chin, H.F., Enoch, I.C. and Raja Harun, R.M., (Eds) Seed technology in the tropics. Selangor, Universiti Pertanian Malaysia.Google Scholar
Tompsett, P.B., (1984) Desiccation studies in relation to the storage of Araucaria seed. Annals of Applied Biology 105, 581586.Google Scholar
Zewdie, M. and Ellis, R.H., Survival of tef and niger seeds following exposure to sub-zero temperatures at various moisture contents. Seed Science and Technology (in press).Google Scholar