ISHS Acta Horticulturae 123: VI African Symposium on Horticultural Crops
STUDIES ON THE NATURE OF SEED DORMANCY OF THE SERENDIPITY BERRY DIOSCOREOPHYLLUM CUMMINSII DIELS |
| Author: | J.O. Uzo |
| Abstract:
Five greenhouse experiments were carried out to elucidate the nature of the seed dormancy in serendipity berry Dioscoreophyllum cumminsii whose germination is both low and erratic. Factors investigated were the propagation media and, proprietary substances used to break seed dormancy of the types, seedcoat, rudimentary embryo and need for growth regulator. Modification of seedcoat improved germination but not sufficiently as to account for the problem under consideration. The addition of nutrient cultures, Knudson's and Hoagland's solutions failed to improve seed germination. The application of three growth regulators as pre-sowing treatments, each at five concentrations showed that gibberellic acid - 3 at 500 ppm evinced the germination potential of the seed to 90 per cent. This concentration however seemed not to have improved the rapidity of germination. Sterilized soil medium rather than river sand is a suitable medium for the propagation of the seeds of this species. | |
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