Changes in Seed Germination during Storage of Flower Seeds: Species Differences

Abstract

This work was carried out to test the storage longevity of seeds from 10 different flowerspecies (Dahlia, Pelargonium, Salvia, Zinnia, Petunia, Gazania, Antirrhinum, Viola, Impatiens andTagetes). Four lots of each species were stored at 25°C for 12 and 5°C for 24 months at 6±0.5%seed moisture in hermetic conditions. After both storage conditions, the seed lots of pelargonium,gazania, zinnia and tagetes had an average germination rate of 100%, while antirrhinum, petunia,impatiens, viola, salvia and dahlia seeds had lower germination rates varying by species. Thedecrease in germination of antirrhinum, petunia, impatiens, salvia, dahlia and viola seed lots after24 months storage at 5°C was 55, 29, 21, 11, 8, and 8%, respectively. The decrease in germinationof salvia, dahlia, impatiens, viola, antirrhinum, and petunia seeds after 25°C storage for 12 monthswas 38, 15, 9, 8, 5, and 4%, respectively. The results showed that extent of seed deterioration variedamong the species and should be considered for seed storage practices of flower seeds. Thereasons for differences in storage behaviour of the species were discussed.