ISHS Acta Horticulturae 253: IV International Symposium on Seed Research in Horticulture
EFFECT OF AGE ON THE VIABILITY OF FENNEL SEEDS FROM CULTIVATED PLANTS |
| Authors: | M. TORRES, F. MUÑOZ, A. CASES, T. ORTEGA |
| Abstract:
Fennel seeds from cultivated plants were stored at room temperature for 1, 3 and 5 years. For testing viability, seeds were germinated at 20, 25 and 30 °C in darkness. Seed age and germination temperature produced germination responses from 30 to 89% with intermediate levels. The loss of viability was associated with increasing both age and temperature, but no statistically significant age x germination temperature interaction for germination capacity and mean germination time was observed. Optimum temperature for germination was 25 °C. High temperature (30 °C) caused a drastic reduction in germination capacity in older seeds as compared with younger seeds. The loss of viability was related with both a reduction in germination capacity and an increase in the mean germination time, resulting in a longer time to radicle emergence and an increase in the time to obtain maximum percentage germination. Differences in seed quality between all aged seeds could be attributed to natural deterioration as a consequence of seeds storage at room temperature. | |
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