A review on Seed storage behavior of Schefflera abyssinica (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) Harms

Abstract

The knowledge of the seed storage behavior is very crucial for the development of appropriate ex-situ conservation strategies. The main objective of this study was to determine seed storage behaviour of Schefflera abyssinica. To identify the seed storage behaviour of Schefflera abyssinica a factorial combination of three different values of temperature (-10, 0 and 22 °C), and 5 storage months were used. Seed moisture content and germination test were done every month until the majority of seeds stop germination. Accordingly, the highest average germination capacity of Schefflera abyssinica seeds was seen after two month of storage. On the other hand, the lowest germination capacity of Schefflera abyssinica was seen at the fifth month of seed storage. Seed germination capacity of Schefflera abyssinica has indirect relationship with seed storage period. This mean as the storage period increased the germination capacity of the seeds decreased. Seed storage period influences the germination capacity of Schefflera abyssinica by 47.8%. The germination capacities of Schefflera abyssinica seeds have showed the significance differences among the storage temperature. Seeds stored under -100C were showed the highest germination capacity in all storage months as compared to the two storage temperature. Generally, the highest germination capacity of Schefflera abyssinica seeds was found between 7 and 9% moisture content at the end of second and third months of storage. Thus, the seed storage behaviour of Schefflera abyssinica seeds shows the intermediate category.