Annals of Botany 82: 249-261, 1998
© 1998 Annals of Botany Company
The Effect of Chilling and Moisture Status on the Germination, Desiccation Tolerance and Longevity ofAesculus hippocastanumL. Seed
Jodrell Laboratory, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Wakehurst Place, Ardingly, West Sussex, RH17 6TN, UK
February 4, 1998 ; March 31, 1998 . May 1, 1998 .
Effects of 2 °C chilling on the threshold moisture contents and water potentials for various physiological processes were estimated forAesculus hippocastanumL. seed. Seed harvested at the time of maximum seed fall exhibited a dual response to drying: partial drying from near 50% to 32–40% moisture content progressively increased germination percentage (at 16 °C) up to various peak values; further desiccation was detrimental, confirming that the seeds are ‘recalcitrant’. The moisture content for optimum germination was increased by at least 10% as the chilling period was raised from 0 to 9 weeks. A negative linear relationship was found between log10mean time to germinate and probit final germination, regardless of pre-treatment, indicating that partial desiccation and chilling are interchangeable in promoting germination of hydrated seed. For nearly fully hydrated seeds, increasing the chilling period from 6 to 26 weeks increased the viability-loss onset point for desiccation injury from near 40% to about 48% moisture content without altering the drying rates of seed tissues. Extending moist chilling in various seed lots from 0 to 26 weeks decreased subsequent longevity at 16 °C. For 26-week-chilled seeds longevity (the period to lose one probit of germination) differed above and below a threshold moisture content of 48%. It remained constant in the moisture-content range 48–38%, but increased progressively as moisture content was raised above 48%. This threshold moisture content coincided with the value above which chilled seed pre-germinated in storage. The results indicate that post-harvest desiccation and chilling alter the water relations of various physiological processes and a schematic summary is presented which relates the results to an axis water sorption isotherm.Copyright 1998 Annals of Botany Company
Aesculus hippocastanumL., horse chestnut, chilling, moisture content, water potential, desiccation tolerance, longevity, recalcitrant seed, embryo axis, maturation, germination.
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