Presenter Information

J B. Brolmann, AREC
B J. Boman, AREC

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.

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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.