Effects of initial quality, low temperature and ABA on the storage of seeds of Inga uruguensis, a tropical species with recalcitrant seeds

This research was carried out to identify harvest and storage conditions to increase seed storability of Inga uruguensis. Fruits were collected from t rees on the banks of the River Oricanga (22 degrees 17'S; 47 degrees 03'WG) , on 27/dec/95 (early harvest), 09/jan/96 (mid-harvest) and 23/jan/96 (late harvest). Fruits were obtained directly from the trees or from the ground. They were opened manually and their seeds removed. Seed dimensions, water content, dry weight, germination and vigour were evaluated. Then, the seeds were stored in cold chamber or laboratory, in three different forms: tray, wet vermiculite or vermiculite soaked in 10(-4)M abscisic acid. Every 20 d ays of storage, samples of seeds were taken out from each treatment and the n their quality was evaluated. The results permit to conclude that seeds ha rvested directly from the trees at fruit maturity stage, stored in cold cha mber and wet vermiculite, maintained 80% of germination and normal seedling growth up to 40 days after seed harvest High quality seeds, stored in cold chamber in wet vermiculite, reached 80 days with germination. In contrast, low quality seeds, on the same conditions, did not reach 60 days. Abscisic acid improved the storage capability of high quality seeds.