ISHS Acta Horticulturae 298: Hortifroid, V International Symposium on Postharvest Physiology of Ornamental Plants; Importance of Cold in Ornamental Horticulture
SEEDS OF ORNAMENTAL PLANTS AND THEIR STORAGE |
| Authors: | F. Corbineau, D. Côme |
| Abstract:
Propagation by seeds is very useful in ornamental horticulture, especially for flower plant production, but important loss of production may result from poor germination or loss of seed viability during storage. Water, temperature and oxygen are the main factors for germination. However, even placed in apparently favourable conditions, some seeds fail to germinate because they are dormant. Dormancy can be broken by different peculiar treatments. Seed quality can also be improved by priming. Seeds are mostly highly dehydrated organs (orthodox seeds) which may be stored dry for long time. The lower their moisture content and the storage temperature, the longer their longevity. However, some seeds, called recalcitrant seeds, cannot withstand desiccation. Their longterm storage is very difficult since they must be maintained in a wet medium and most of them do not tolerate cold temperatures. Different physiological and biochemical aspects of the regulation of seed germination and of loss of seed viability are presented. | |
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