CHARACTERISTICS AND PERFORMANCE OF CADAMBA (ROXB.) BOSSER SEEDS AFTER STORED IN DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTS

Erwin Anak Asong

Bachelor of Science with Honours QX ( Resource Science and Management) 661 £73 2006 2006 J • l Khidn NIVER A ~ 1J"\. J~'''' '''''''''' 94'100 Kota Samarahao

CHARACTERISTICS AND PERFORMANCE OF (ROXB.) BOSSER SEEDS AFTER STORED IN DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTS

ERWIN ANAK ASONG

This Pfoj~ct report is submitted in partial fulfillment ofthe requirements for the degree of

Bachelor of Science with Honours

Plant Resource Science and Management

Faculty Resource Science and Technology

UNIVERSITI SARAW AK

2006 ,.... I

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First and foremost, I would like to express my gratitude to my project supervisor, Dr. Petrus

Bulan and co-supervisor, Dr. Siti Rubiah for giving me this opportunity to work on this project

and also for their guidance, encouragement and dedication in the execution and completion of the

study.

My special appreciation to Mr. Amin Mangi for his technical support and all the postgraduate

students in Cryopreservation Laboratory, who had helped me lot in improving my laboratory

skills. I am very grateful to Miss Shelly Unsa, Mr. Sidu Richard and Mr. Thomas Jawi for their

assistance in this project.

Finally, my utmost thanks to my family especially to my parents for their endless love and

support not just for this project, but also throughout my years as a UNlMAS student. This project

has been a wonderful experience for me, academically and personally, whereas I could not make

this far without the support of each and everyone of you. So once again, thank you very much

and may God biess you all.

ii Pusat Khidmat Makfumat Akadenna UNlVERS MALAYSIA SARAWA'J ~aJtl3J3llla' fl

TABLE OF CONTENT

Contents

Title Page ......

Acknowledgement...... 11

Table ofContents...... 111

List of Plate ...... v

List of Figures ...... VI

List ofTables...... vii

Abstract ...... viii

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background...... 1 1.2 Problem Statement...... 3 1.3 Objectives...... 5

CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Characteristics of Seed...... 6 2.2 Factors Affecting Seed Quality 2.2.1 Seed Germination...... 8 2.2.2 Seed Viability...... 9 2.2.3 Seed Moisture Content...... 10 2.2.4 Seed Storage...... 11

III CHAPTER 3 MATERIAL AND METHOD

3.1 Material...... 14 3.2 Methods 3.2.1 Measurement ofFruit...... 14 3.2.2 Desiccation of Seed...... 15 3.2.3 Storage of Seed...... 15 3.3 Evaluation of Seeds Quality 3.3.1 Moisture Content Test...... 16 3.3.2 Germination Test...... 17

CHAPTER 4 RESULT AND DISSCUSION

4.1 Size ofFruit and Seed...... 18 4.2 Weight offruit and seed...... 20 4.3 Quality of seed...... 21 4.4 Storage ofSeed...... 22 4.4.1 Seed Stored in Ambient Room...... 23 4.4.2 Seed Stored in Air-conditioned Room...... 27 4.4.3 Seed stored in Refrigerator...... 31 4.4.4 Seed Stored in Cold Room...... 34 4.4.5 Seed Stored in Incubator...... 39

CHAPTER 5 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION...... 43

REFERENCES...... 46

APPENDIXES...... 39

iv ,...

LIST OF PLATES

Plate 1. Immature N. cadamba fruit.

Plate 2. Ripe N. cadamba fruit.

Plate 3. N. cadamba seed and it's capsule.

Plate 4. N. cadamba seed.

Plate 5. N. cadamba seed capsule.

Plate 6. N. cadamba seed and its capsule.

Plate 7. N. cadamba seed.

Plate 8. N. cadamba seed capsule.

Plate 9. Immature N. cadamba fruit.

Plate 10. Fresh N. cadamba seed and it'capsule.

Plate 11. Seeds and accessory ofN. cadamba.

Plate 12. N. cadamba seed kept in airtight bottle.

Plate 13. Seeds placed in genninator for gennination.

Plate 14. Seeds placed on moist filter paper in petri dish.

Plate 15. ~e~d: with radical.

Plate 14. Seed with radical at least 2 mm long counted as germinated.

Plate 15. The fleshy part ofN. cadamba fruits manually removed.

v

I , LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1: Moisture content and germination of N. cadamba seeds after dehydrated in silica

gel.

Figure 2: Germination of N. cadamba seeds stored m ambient room (28 - 30°C) after

dehydrated in silica gel.

Figure 3: Moisture content of N. cadamba seeds stored in ambient room (28 - 30°C) after

dehydrated in silica gel.

Figure 4: Germination of N. cadamba seeds stored in air-conditioned room (20 - 23°C) after

dehydrated in silica gel.

Figure 5: Moisture content of N. cadamba seeds stored in air-conditioned room (20 - 23°C)

after dehydrated in silica gel.

Figure 6: Germination of N. cadamba seeds stored in refrigerator (3 - 5°C) after dehydrated

in silica gel.

Figure 7: oisture content of N. cadamba seeds stored in refrigerator (3 - 5°C) after

dehydrated in silica gel.

Figure 8: Germination of N. cadamba seeds stored in cold room (-4°C) after dehydrated in

, - .0 silica gel.

Figure 9: Moisture content ofN. cadamba seeds stored in cold room (-4°C) after dehydrated

in silica gel.

Figure 10: Germination of N. cadamba seeds stored in incubator (40°C) after dehydrated in

silica gel.

Figure 11: Moisture content of N. cadamba seeds stored in incubator (40°C) after dehydrated

in silica gel. vi LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: The analysis of variance on germination of seed stored in ambient room.

Table 2: The analysis of variance on moisture content of seed stored in ambient room.

Table 3: The analysis of variance on germination of seed stored in air-conditioned room.

Table 4: The analysis of variance on moisture content ofseed stored in air-conditioned room.

Table 5: The analysis of variance on germination of seed stored in cold room.

Table 6: The analysis of variance on moisture content of seed stored in cold room.

Table 7: The analysis of variance on germination of seed stored in refrigerator.

Table 8: The analysis of variance on germination of seed stored in refrigerator.

Table 9: The analysis of variance on moisture content of seed stored in incubator.

Table 10: The analysis of variance on moisture content of seed stored in incubator.

Table 11: The germination and moisture content of seed stored in ambient room.

Table 12: The germination and moisture content of seed stored in air-conditioned room.

Table 13: The germination and moisture content of seed stored in refrigerator.

Table 14: The germination and moisture content of seed stored in cold room.

Table 15: The germination and moisture content of seed stored in incubator.

Vll ,...... ,..

Characteristic$ and Performance of Neolamarckia cadamba (Roxb.) Bosser Seeds after Stored in Different Environments

Erwin Anak Asong Program of Plant Resource Science and Management Faculty of Resource Sciences and Technology Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

ABSTRACT

A study was conducted to detennine the physical characteristics and to assess the gennination of Neolamarckia cadamba (Roxb.) Bosser seeds in different storage environment. Seeds were dehydrated in silica gel for 0, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours then were kept in airtight bottles and stored in five environments: ambient room (28 - 30°C), air-conditioned room (20 - 23°C), refrigerator (3 - 5°C), cold room (-4°C) and incubator (40°C) for 21 days. The dehydrated seeds at 72 hours were found successfully genninated after stored in all environments with mean gennination between 64.93 to 87.37% after 21 days of storage. The highest germination of 100% was obtained after 72 hours of dehydration for seeds kept in cold room after 6 days with 14.1 4% moisture content. The most suitable environment was for seeds stored in cold room where germination was between 50.72 to 87.37% for a period up to 21 days. The temperature of storage gave significant different in percentage of gennination of seeds.

Key words: Neolamarckia cadamba (Roxb.) Bosser, seed, dehydration, storage, moisture content and germination.

A BSTRAK

Satu kajian telah dijalankan untuk menentukan ciri-ciri jizikal dan untuk menilai percambahan biji benih Neolamarckia cadamba (Roxb.) Bosser di dalam persekitaran penyimpanan yang berbeza. Biji benih telah dinyahhidratkan di dalam silika gel pada tempoh masa 0, 24, 48, 72 dan 96 jam dan diletakan di dalam botol 1ceiliIp udara dan kemudian disimpan di dalam lima persekitaran yang berbeza: suhu bilik (28 - 30°C), bilik berhawa dingin (20 - 23°C), peti sejuk (3 - 5°C), bilik sejuk (-4°C) and inlwbator (40°C) selama 21 hari. Biji benih yang telah dinyahhidratkan selama 72 jam didapati bejaya becambah pada keseluruhan persekitaran dengan purata percambahan dian tara 64.93 hingga 87.37% selepas 21 hari penyimpanan. Biji benih yang dinyahhidratkan selama 72 jam yang disimpan di dalam bilik sejuk telah didapati bercambah 100% selepas 6 hari penyimpanan dengan 14.14% kandungan kelembapan. Persekitaran yang sesuai untuk penyimpanan biji benih adalah pada suhu bilik sejuk dengan peratus percambah diantara 50.72 hingg 87.37% selepas 21 hari penyimpanan. Penyimpanan biji benih pada suhu yang berbeza memberi kesan yang berlainan pada peratus percambahan biji benih.

Kata kunci: Neolamarckia cadamba (Roxb.) Bosser, biji benih, penyahhidratan, penyimpanan, /candungan kelembapan dan percambahan

Vll1 ,...

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

Neolamarckia cadamba (Roxb.) Bosser is a fast-growing of the family (Richter

and Dallwitz, 2000). 'Kadam' is a trade name of its timber, in French and Indian. 'Kelampayan'

is a common name in Malaysia, 'Kalempajan and Jabon' in , 'Kaatoan bangkal', in

Philippines, 'Mai sa kho' in , 'Thkoow' in (Joker, 2000) and 'Laran' in Sabah,

'Selimpoh and Sempayan' in Sarawak. The common English name is 'bur- tree'. Ismail

(1993), in his study state that the tree has been described as indicus A. Rich.

(1930), than as Anlhocephalus cadamba (Roxb.) Miq. (1956) and later is Neolamarckia cadamba

(Roxb.) Bosser.

Richter and Dallwitz (2000) reported that Neolamarckia sp. (N. cadamba) is found cultivated

worldwide in tropical regions. The area of natural distribution is from and , through

Thailand and Indo- and eastward in the Malaysian Archipelago to . It

has been introduced successfully to Africa and Central America (Joker, 2000). The tree is a

~ ---;' typical pioneer species and common in secondary forest. This tree species can be found at below

1000 m altitudes and nonnally in areas that have more than 1500 mm rain per year. Sometime

this tree species can grow in dry areas with as little as 200 mm rain per year (Joker, 2000).

Hossain and Nizam (2003) also reported that this species founded growing well in areas that

received 1440 mm to 5080 mm of annual rainfall and does not flourish well in very badly drained

areas.

1 Neolamarckia sp. grows well in various types of soil, moist, wann regions, often on alluvial

ground, along river, on riverbank and in swampy areas. This tree species are tolerates to periodic

flooding and high demand in soil fertility. It grows at high to medium texture, neutral to acidic

soil, free and moist draining conditions. This tree species does not grow well on leached soils

even when soil properties are good and in badly drained areas (Hossain and Nizam, 2003). They

also reported that this species is light and wet area demanding and naturally grows in temperature

from 25°C to 35°C.

The stem is straight, cylindrical, buttresses and regular bole. Hossain and Nizam (2003) reported

that, this species reaches 17.67 m in height and 25.3 cm d.b.h. within 9 years. A mature tree

attained 20 to 30 m in height and 50 to 100 cm d.b.h. The crown is open (umbrella shaped) and

round and bears drooping branches. It becomes darker and longitudinally fissured in older

and exfoliates in small rectangular plates that are yellowish brown inside. They also stated that

the leaves of Neolamarckia sp are simple, opposite, 12 to 35 cm by 5 to 10 cm, ovate, elliptic

oblong, upper surface of the leaves are shining, coriaceous and glabrous while the lower surface

is pubescent.

Wong (1989) mentioned that leaves are elliptical to obviate. The heartwood is basically yellow

white or grey. This trees sapwood colour similar to heartwood colour (Richter and Dallwitz,

2(00). The of this species is white to yellowish-white or creamy white. There are yellowish

cast on its longitudinal surface. The wood is fairly hard and heavy. It is straight grained, rather

shiny and has medium-coarse texture (Gamble, 1922).

2

I

l ,...

1.2 Problem Statement

Pressures to exploit and clear natural forest have not stopped and several factors suggest that

natural forests, especially in Sarawak, will continue to decline and have less capacity to provide

wood for industrial and other uses. The choice of species is more complex in contrast to

industrial forest plantation. While it is to promote local species and to include them in trials, the

long history of successful exotic introductions for both forestry and agriculture indicates that

there is still a Tole for both well - tried and new exotic species (Evans and Turnbull, 2003).

It is importance to produce new local timber species especially fast growing species. It follows

that the predicted increases in consumption of wood products, more wood win have to be

provided from plantations. In 1998 and 1999, about 100 ha of open areas in logged blocks in

Model Forest Management Area (MFMA) Balingian were planted with seedlings of local tree

species. These were experimental plantings in small patches and strips along roads, with 10

different local species. Survival and growth rates of three species over the first years after

planting have been very encouraging (Sarawak Forestry Department, 2004); Kelampayan

(Neolamarckia cadamba), Sentang (Azadirachta excelsa) and Engkabang (Shorea macrophylla).

Neolamarckia cadamba is a lightweight hardwood with poor durability. It is mainly used for

pulp, producing low- and medium quality paper. The wood can be used for light construction

work but only indoors, as it is perishable when in contact with the ground. It is fast growing and

suitable for reforestation in watersheds and eroded areas and for windbreaks in agro forestry. It is

also excellent as a shade tree for dipterocarp species line planting (Joker, 2000).

3 ,.....

trhe most importance usage of this species is producing paper of low and medium-quality. The

:Wood can be used to produce matchsticks boxes, tea boxes, veneer (face and core), plywood,

~arvings, chopsticks, pencils, yokes and furniture. The logs can be used in light constructions,

~f structures and trench canoes. Besides that, it is suitable for manufacture of hardboard,

cement-bonded board and particleboard. Because of its wide spreading branches, it is suitable

planted as ornamental and shade tree for other crops. Its fast-growing potential also makes it

applies in reforestation and agroforestry.

Apart from that, an extracts from leaves can be used as gargle and its fresh broad-leaves can

serve as fodder for cattle, as plate and serviettes as well. The fruits and are can be

eaten. The dried bark is potential serves as medicine to relieve fever and as a tonic (Johns et al.,

2004). Joker (2000) reported that the leaves and bark of this species are used in medicine.

Anon (2004) reported that in Malaysia, it had grown as plantation tree as early as in 1953 and at

Sibunga Forest Reserve near Sandakan, Sabah in 1961. He also reported there is a plan to plant

up trees in land of 1 million hectare in 15 years starting from 2004 in Sarawak. This amounted to

50 million trees per year for planting based on planting density of 800 logs per hectare. Several

species including the fast growing ones have been identified as the species of choice for this

programmed. To implement the planted forest programmed, large amount of planting material

from seed with desired characteristics are needed.

In this study, efforts are focus on Neolamarckia cadamba, a pioneer species, which is fast

grow and can be harvested in time less than 9 years. According to Sarawak Forestry 4

l. r

Department (2004), N. cadamba will reach 5 to 6 m height and diameter at 1.3 m above ground

~BH) is 5 to 8 cm after 14 months planting. There is a need to study the method of propagation

For potential local timber species (i.e. N. cadamba) using seeds and vegetative parts. Therefore,

~s paper present study on the capability of N. cadamba seed characteristics, moisture content,

~ability and germination of seeds for long-term storage is important.

~ .3 Objectives

~ere are three main objectives of this study:

1. to determine the physical characteristics ofN. cadamba seeds:

a. colour and size of fruits

b. thickness and shape of seeds

c. weight of 100 fruits and 1000 seeds

2. to assess the viability and germination of N. cadamba seeds in different environment. to assess the storability of the N. cadamba seeds of variable moisture content in different storage environment.

5 CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW

Characteristics of Seed

ges in envirorunental temperature and relative humidity can affect the seeds quality. The

cterisric and storage of seeds is important in field planting to ensure high quality yield of

!ants. The factors such as levels of oxygen, temperature and moisture content have serious

uenced on seed germination. Grading is important because studies have shown that growth

ormance of seed is related to seed size. Will an (1984) reported that seed batches might be

amined by size, shape, colour, weight and thickness. This is a useful criterion for visual

ararion ofseed. Seed weight is normally expressed as the weight of 100 and 1000 pure seeds.

ossain and Nizam (2003) reported that the N. cadamba tree in May through July. They

d that the yellow flower is terminal. The fruit size has 3.80 to 5.10 cm in diameter. It has a single head, 2.54 to 3.80 cm peduncles, a glabrous corolla, erect lobes, and oblong persistent calyx-lobes. The small fruits of individual flowers are inserted in a central fleshy mass that forms

8 composite fruit and turns brownish to yellowish when ripe. Joker (2000) reported that the flowering ofN. cadamba generally begins when the tree is 4 to 5 years old. The colour of flowers is orange, small, in dense, globose heads. Wind or rain, animal, floods and rivers dispersed these seeds.

N. cadamba fleshy fruits are ripe and faU in January and February (Hossain and Nizam,

2000 They also stated that, fruits are collected in August and September. The tree in Sabah is 6 ,....

~wering from June to September and the fruiting occurs from September through February. The

~ts tum brownish or yellowish when ripen.

i. cadamba seeds are collected manually from the plant or the ground. Safety belts, ladders,

~ension prunes, pruning shears, pruning saw, and bags are used in fruit collection. After

~llection, fruits are left to ripen. Seeds are placed in protected areas, not left under the trees

ltecause they may be partially consumed by pests. The fruits are either dried in the sun so the

~eshy part can be removed manually or mechanically, or soaked to separate the seeds (Hossain

~ Nizam, 2003). These methods are equally effective. In another method, ripe fruits are soaked

in water until they rot, pulped or macerated on newspapers, and dried in a warm place. The seeds

then are carefully separated from the dried pulp by slightly blowing the mass (Evans, 1982;

!Hossain and Nizam (2003).

~ld seeds germinate best in full sun, and fresh ones in shade. Seed boxes are placed in the shade.

iI'he seedlings are 2.5 cm tall and have 2 or 3 pairs of true leaves after 3 to 4 weeks. They are

pricked out with a small ball of earth surrounding the roots into plastic pots and hardened off in

30 percent shade. During this early stage, the require light shade and protection from the

sun; they require more light as they mature (Hossain and Nizam, 2003).

The fleshy fruits ripen and fall in January and February. The fruits are small capsules, packed

closely together to form a fleshy, yellowish or orange or brownish coloured infructescence

containing approximately 8,000 seeds. The small capsules split into four parts releasing the seed

at ·ty. There are approximately 20,000 seeds per gram (Joker, 2000; Hossain and Nizam, 7 Ismail (1993) in his study stated that the seeds from Philippines could attain 0.63mm long

0.47 mm wide, which may contain 17,000 seeds per gramme. According to Hossain and

(2003), seeds ofN. cadamba average 18,000,000 to 26,000,000 per kg.

Factors Affecting Seed Quality

Seed Germination ac::COIuirlg to ISTA (l976), germination is defined as the emergence and development from the

embryo to produce a nonnal plant. Gennination is expressed as the percentage of pure seed

produce normal seedlings. The main aim of germination test is to estimate the maximum

_m~~ ofseeds that can be genninated in optimum conditions (1ST A, 1976).

common standard for assessing gennination potential is very important for moving seed in

trade. The high quality of seed to genninate is usually at its maximum at

IbYlliollogilcal maturity, thereafter deterioration will occur due to ageing, effect of environmental

_lIb.()DS, and any damage sustained during collection, processing, and storage (Evans and

,_ ••.,...... , 2003). They also argued that the quality control must be applied to all phases of seed . -" iVU.....UIVllo handling, processing, and storage to produce high quality seeds.

factors such as species, variety, and growing region, quality of the seed and duration of time

harvest also are fac tors that affect percentage of seed gennination (Copeland et al., 1995).

Pcc:asiIODlllll), seed will germinate at the optimal temperature between 15 - 30°C, less or more

that will cause the seeds slow of fail to genninate. According to Copeland et al. (1995), high

seeds are able to genninate under wider temperature ranges then low quality seeds. 8 ~14:mt4'J.1'Claa sp seeds will genninate in 8 to 22 days. Fresh seeds of Neolamarckia sp genninate

percent, diminishing to 5 percent in 13 months of storage (Hossain and Nizam, 2003). Joker

reported that the seed stored in dry, airtight containers in a cold store the seed would

viability for up to two years, at ambient temperature up to 6 months.

Seed Viability

••au.....) often refers to the capability or perfonnance of seed to germinate and produce a nonnal

. rxllmg (Copeland et 01. , 1995). Viability indicates that the seed is alive, metabolically active,

have enzymes capable to catalyze metabolic reactions needed for germination and seedling

Seed viability is highest when the seeds are at physiological maturity and viability will

IIrllldUalJ) declined after reaching physiological maturity (Lee, 2005).

viability decline of a portion of the accessions might be due to several reasons, of which

characteristics of species and pre-storage environments are the main factors. Different

_ea(,ty))es within a same species might also have different longevity, which would result in a

loss of viability for certain varieties (Priestly et al., 1985). In addition, drying at high

tmperatulfes before addition to the storage might be a potential factor affecting seed viability.

viability of the seed accession is a measure of how many seeds are alive and could develop

plants. which will reproduce themselves, given the appropriate conditions (Hanson, 1985).

is important to know that the seeds that are stored in a genebank will grow to produce plants. It

have a high viability at the start and during storage. The viability of seeds at the start of

will also determine, within the environmental conditions, the storage life of the accession. 9 viability would need to be detennined at the start of storage and at regular intervals during

to predict the correct time for regeneration of the accession (Hanson, 1985).

(1985) stated that the moisture content defmed as the amount of water in the seed and is

expressed as a percentage. This moisture content can be expressed on either a wet weight

or on a dry is weight basis. A wet weight basis expressed as a percentage of the fresh

ofthe seed and a dry weight basis expressed as a percentage of the dry weight of the seed.

change in seed moisture content has a large effect on the storage life of the seeds. Therefore it

important to know the moisture content in order to make a reasonably accurate prediction of

possible storage life of each accession.

moisture content of a seed will equilibrate with the relative humidity of the air surrounding

This moisture content is called the equilibrium moisture content and because it is constant for

species at known temperature and relative humidity, it can be used as an approximation of

actual seed moisture content. Moisture contents will differ from seed to seed within the same

~:ssion, but should not be sufficiently different to make more than about 1% difference in

1lDiJ1lw:e contents between seeds of the same accession and different accessions of the same

This is sufficiently close for a prediction (Hanson, 1985). The life of seed is doubled for

1% decrease in moisture content. With the temperature factor, every 5°C lowering of

temperature doubles the life of the seed.

10 viability of seeds in storage depends on temperature and moisture content during storage.

even under ideal storage conditions, seed will lose viability over time. For recalcitrant

the critical moisture content must be observed for viability. Higher moisture content

in more rapid loss of viability indirectly due to the higher rate of respiration. Seeds can

viable for extended periods if kept under conditions of low temperatures and moisture

Seed deterioration during storage has always been a great problem. For some accession,

had low germinability even after short storage duration (Stoyanova, 2001).

event more serious risk is that 50% of the accessions stored in gene banks lose viability or acolwu.~ genetic drift after regeneration (Singh et ai., 1984). The challenge for genebank

is, therefore, to regenerate seed samples before their ability becomes critically low. Seed

behaviour has been defmed into three categories that are commonly used today, based on

tolerance to desiccation (Roberts 1973; Ellis et al., 1990). Marzalina (l995), in her studies

that tropical recalcitrant seed may be stored under the moisture condition of 23 - 55%,

humidity of 55 - 75% and temperature at -18 to 25°C. Recalcitrant seeds usually need . . moisture and cool conditions, combined with good aeration and avoidance of overheating. lIICI~ci'lral[1t seeds cannot survive more than two weeks in an uncontrolled environment. Most iJ*citl1U1t seeds will not survive if the moisture content is reduced below a critical level i.e.

1IInf~ 23 to 55% (Marzalina, 1995).

seed storage is the preservation of seeds under controlled environmental conditions, which

" "lJ'CllCXIg the viability of the seeds for long periods. Seeds must be stored in a way, which 11 their viability for long periods. Seeds left at ambient temperatures and relative

IbI.Itm c~ will lose their viability quickly whilst seeds stored in conditions of low moisture

and temperature will retain their viability for longer periods. Accessions held in a

are valuable and represent plants which are no longer available or which are rJIIilRClred in their natural environment. These seeds must be conserved in the genebank for use

breeding in the future (Hanson, 1985).

~l4amar(~/cta sp are fleshy fruited species, very small seeds and recalcitrant species that have

.-alted major problems to those who grow them in industrial plantations (Evans and Turnbull,

Although plantation of Araucaria hunsteinii and some dipterocarps have been established

areas of natural distribution, there is no appreciable trade in tropical recalcitrant forest

seeds. This is primarily due to difficulties in seed storage, but also to problems of seed

~ecti()D and control of seed - borne pests and diseases. Recalcitrant seeds are very sensitive to

lowest safe moisture content is known for many species but for some very recalcitrant . -" it is as high as 60 ­ 70% while some intermediate species will tolerate drying to 12 - 17%

Turnbull, 2003). Seeds have several years of dormancy and can be stored

if they are kept in airtight or almost airtight containers in a dark room under dry

12 CHAPTER 3

MATERIALS AND METHODS

from secondary forests in Miri and Kota Samarahan

~lUUD. The seeds were extracted from the fresh matured fruits, cleaned, and dried under shade

floor hood) in the laboratory to ensured high quality. Seeds were dusted with Caplan

to protect from infestation by fungi. After that, seeds were kept in airtight bottles to use for lDSC"IUent experiments. Others equipment used were callipers, scales, tapes and sieves.

tests, were including moisture content and germination conducted to identify and to

the quality ofN. cadamba seeds used in the experiments.

urement of Fruit

N. cadamba fruit were measured using the callipers, to get the size, shape and thickness.

, size and shape were useful criteria for visual separation and characteristic of fruit. The

and width of fruit were measured under microscope to get thickness of the seed (Plate 10).

and seed weights were measured and expressed as 100 and 1000 pure seeds. Then the 100

weight can be converted to seed per gram as follow (1STA, 1976; AOSA, 1985):

100 No. of fruitlkg Weight of 100 fruits/kg

13 1000 pure seed weight can be converted to seed per gram as follow:

1000 No.ofseedlg Weight of 100 seeds/g

ecation of Seed

were dehydrated using silica gel in desiccators. The silica gel was placed in five liCcators with 250 g of silica gel place in each desiccator. About 5,120 seeds were placed in

desiccator and dehydrated for different periods (0, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours) to obtain

levels of moisture content. The moisture content of seeds at each period of dehydration

of 25,600 seeds were used for storage in five different environments (Plates 10, 11 and

This seeds were dehydrated to the moisture content level that gave the highest performance

__lea. The seeds were divided into sub-lots of 5,120 seeds for each sub-lot and then stored lditlfereDt environments:

1. Ambient room (28 - 30°C)

2. Air-conditioned room (20 - 23°C)

3. Refrigerator (3 - 5°C)

4. Incubator (40°C) and

5. Cold room (-4°C)

14 aeeds were stored for a period up to 21 days. Perfonnance of the seeds will be evaluated

three days during the period of storage. A corresponding sub-lot of seeds is evaluated for

..,...... tloo of Seed Quality

oisture Cooteot Test

replications of 20 seeds were used and each replication is adjusted to one layer of seeds

the bottom of the aluminium foil container. The containers were placed in an oven at

for 48 hrs. The percentage of moisture content was then detennined after weight using the

as below (AOSA, 1985):

b-c Moisture content (%) ---- x 100% b-a

a =weight of empty aluminium plate . - " b=weight ofaluminium plate and seeds before placed in oven

=weight ofaluminium plate and seeds after placed in oven

IrrepllCl1l1o[lS of20 seeds in each replication were prepared. Seeds were placed on three layers

filter paper in each petri dish (Plate 15). The first count of seed gennination made at two

15