Seed viability of Citrus limonia Osb. under low moisture content and stored at different temperatures

Abstract

“Limão-cravo" seeds with initial 25% moisture content were dried up to 6% moisture content, kept in sealed cans and stored at 4, 18 and 25°C. Non-treated seeds (fresh seeds) were stored in paper bags at 25°C. Seed germination and moisture content were determined every two months throughout the year. A germination test was also carried out on dried seeds when they had been stored for 32 months. Fresh seeds reached around 6% moisture content after two-month storage and had their germination percentages drastically reduced throughout the storage period, reaching zero after eight-month storage. Dried seeds had a slight but significant initial drop in germinability as compared with fresh seeds. The germination percentages of dried seeds was high throughout the twelve-month period, regardless of the storage temperature. After 32-month storage the germination percentage was high only on the seeds stored at 4°C. The data suggest that seed viability of Citrus limonia Osb. can be maintained through artificial drying up to 6% moisture content and storage in sealed cans at 4°C.