Moist storage of Brazil nut seeds for improved germination and nursery management

Seed storage of species from the humid tropics is often problematic because of seed sensitivity to desiccation and low temperatures, conditions tradit ionally considered necessary for long-term seed storage. In this study, Bra zil nut seeds from 10 families were stored for five-and-a-half months under moist conditions at warm ambient temperatures. A randomized complete block design was employed for analysis of seed moisture content and germination, with storage and family as the main treatment factors. Moist storage of Br azil nut seeds clearly improved germination and can greatly facilitate nurs ery management. Seeds that were stored and then had testas removed germinat ed more quickly (Day 14 versus Day 60), exhibited greater percentage germin ation (74.8 versus 53.5%), and a reduction in seed deterioration (25.2 vers us 46.5%). Storage also improved germination rate, and no seeds germinated prematurely while in storage. Moist storage improved germination of some fa milies more than others such that stored seeds exhibited more uniform germi nation across all families. The delayed and prolonged germination of nonsto red seeds may be due to endogenous seed dormancy that appears to be favorab le for increasing the effective storage period of Brazil nut. During storag e, embryo maturation may have taken place and/or a chemical inhibitor may h ave been leached from the embryos, resulting in improved Brazil nut germina tion. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.