Publication Date
1989
Description
Tropical legumes such as members of the genus Stylosanthes (sty lo) contribute to the improvement of pastures in the tropics and sub-tropics. Stylosanthes is usually established from seed. In Florida, seed of Stylosanthes has to be produced and collected before the onset of the winter since occasional frosts can damage seed-bearing vegetation. Therefore, early maturing Stylosanthes varieties have been developed. In stylo seed collections maintained for breeding or seed exchange purposes, maintenances of seed viability is critical. New pests or new diseases may require a renewed screening of stored accessions. It is important, then, that the seed source of this species be renewed. It is not known about how long seed of stylo remains viable -hen stored under ambient temperature and humidity cond- 1tlons. Legumes seeds in general (Toole, 1986) and stylo in particular (Mott, 1969), have hard impermeable seedcoats. Consequently, they may not be as greatly affected by moisture conditions as seed of other species. Therefore, older seed samples of Stylosanthes may germinate after years of storage. Seed viability can be maintained by reducing moisture content of seed and by storage at low temperature. However, moisture removal and low storage facilities may not be available in many areas where stylo is being grown and stored. The purpose of these studies was to test the viability of Stylosanthes species after seed had been stored for several years under ambient temperature and humidity conditions. The goal was to estimate the maximum storage time which could still result in satisfactory germination.
Citation
Brolmann, J B. and Boman, B J., "Viability of Stylosanthes Seeds as Affected by Storage Duration" (2025). IGC Proceedings (1989-2023). 4.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1989/session5/4
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Viability of Stylosanthes Seeds as Affected by Storage Duration
Tropical legumes such as members of the genus Stylosanthes (sty lo) contribute to the improvement of pastures in the tropics and sub-tropics. Stylosanthes is usually established from seed. In Florida, seed of Stylosanthes has to be produced and collected before the onset of the winter since occasional frosts can damage seed-bearing vegetation. Therefore, early maturing Stylosanthes varieties have been developed. In stylo seed collections maintained for breeding or seed exchange purposes, maintenances of seed viability is critical. New pests or new diseases may require a renewed screening of stored accessions. It is important, then, that the seed source of this species be renewed. It is not known about how long seed of stylo remains viable -hen stored under ambient temperature and humidity cond- 1tlons. Legumes seeds in general (Toole, 1986) and stylo in particular (Mott, 1969), have hard impermeable seedcoats. Consequently, they may not be as greatly affected by moisture conditions as seed of other species. Therefore, older seed samples of Stylosanthes may germinate after years of storage. Seed viability can be maintained by reducing moisture content of seed and by storage at low temperature. However, moisture removal and low storage facilities may not be available in many areas where stylo is being grown and stored. The purpose of these studies was to test the viability of Stylosanthes species after seed had been stored for several years under ambient temperature and humidity conditions. The goal was to estimate the maximum storage time which could still result in satisfactory germination.
