Abstract

This research was designed to determine whether ultradry storage improves the longevity of Ceratoides arborescens seeds. Ultradry C. arborescens seeds were obtained in a desiccating container with silica gel, of which seed moisture content was from 10.87 to 3.78%, and stored at 4°C and room temperature (15 - 20°C) for 12 months. The results indicated that ultradrying treatment did not induce anysignificant change in seed germination and vigor index. After ultradrying, aging was accelerated in the seeds (45°C, 2 days), and some physiological indices were thereafter tested. From the results, it was clear that the ultradried seeds were much more tolerant to ageing treatment than the control seeds as shown by germination percentage, vigor index and electrical conductivity. Our results also showed that dehydrogenase activity of ultradried seeds was higher than that of the control seeds. The results indicated that the moisture content of seed was a key index for storage at room temperature and 3.78% seem to be the best moisture content for ultradried seeds of C. arborescens in our research. From these results, we suggested that seed moisture content less than 5% enhances longevity and ultradry storage could be a potentially useful and cost effective technology for conservation of the plant genetic resource.

Key words: Ceratoides arborescens, ultradry storage, moisture content, physiological indices.