Changes in Germination of Flower Seeds After 16 Years in Cold Storage

Authors : Tuba Gülöksüz, Ahmet Hakan Eker, Serpil Mis, İbrahim Demir

Pages : 71-82

Doi:10.58816/duzceod.1540093

View : 20 | Download : 20

Publication Date : 2024-12-23

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This study was carried out to test the changes in germination percentages of the seeds of 11 flower species kept hermetically sealed in cold storage (5 °C, 6.7-7.6 % seed moisture) for 16 years. Pelargoniums, tagetes, zinnias, petunias and gazanias were found to be the most resilient species, in which seed germination was reduced between 0 and 3% following storage compared to initial germination values. Dahlias, salvia and verbena were medium tolerant species, as they lost germination at between 22 and 30%. The most sensitive species were antirrhinum, viola and impatiens, which had a germination loss as high as 94%. As vigour indication, 7th day radicle counts showed that the more resilient species had higher earlier germination values. Comparison of the storage of hybrid and open-pollinated cultivars made in two species, Pelargonium and viola, indicated that germination was not lost in pelargonium hybrids, but germination loss was higher than 77% in both open pollinated and hybrid seed types of viola. The results indicated that seed storage potential in flowers was greatly affected by species differences and should be taken into account for plant production practices.
Keywords : Çiçek tohumları, Çimlenme, Depolama