Desiccation tolerance and storability of Mangifera persiciformis Wu et Ming seeds, a narrowly distributed and endemic species in China.
Tang A. J., Tian M. H., Long C. L.
Seed Science and Technology 36 : 486-490
Abstract : Freshly harvested mature seeds of peach-formed mango (Mangifera persiciformis Wu et Ming) were used in the present study to obtain information on seed morphological characteristics, desiccation tolerance and storability based on responses of viability to rapid drying and slow drying and storage temperature. In the rapid drying treatments, the seed moisture content was reduced from an initial 32.4% to 18.2% with seed viability decreasing gradually from 100% to 53.2%. When further dried down to 13.7% moisture content, seed viability was rapidly lost. During slow desiccation, moisture content resulting in 50% viability loss was 21.5%, and peach-formed mango seeds with the moisture content of 18.3% exhibited almost no germination. Slow dehydration to about 26.1% water content could not allow for low temperature storage (i.e. 4 and -18°C) at all. Based on the above results, we concluded that peach-formed mango seeds are recalcitrant and short-lived. Such information may be helpful for improving seed performance during storage and for subsequent use in breeding programs. In addition, seed size, weight and seed coat ratio (SCR) were also estimated in order to better understand characteristics of peach-formed mango seeds.