Germination of tropical forage seeds stored for six years in ambient and controlled temperature and humidity conditions in Thailand

Abstract

Germinación de semilla de forrajeras tropicales durante seis años de almacenamiento bajo condiciones ambientales y condiciones de temperatura y humedad controladas en Tailandia

Quality assessment of Urochloa (syn. Brachiaria) seeds produced in Cameroon

“…A study in India with four Urochloa species reported germination rates from 0.0% to 18.0% 32 . The lowest seed germination rate observed in the laboratory conditions in our study could be attributed to the germination test conditions i.e., constant temperature of 28 °C and continuous dark while other authors have reported the use of alternating day/night temperature and light in assessing seed germination of Brachiaria grass seeds 32 , 41 , 42 . We therefore, acknowledge some methodological deficiencies in the lab testing which was solely because of unavailability of incubator with provision of alternate light and temperature cycles.…”

“…Use of about one year old seeds stored in ambient condition might have significantly contributed to a low germination. The practices including seed scarification, seed stratification, exposure of seeds to light, exogenous application of chemical stimulants, invigoration treatments, seed storage in a cool room and use of dry chain technologies including hermetic bags can be helpful to improve seed germination in Urochloa grass 37 , 41 , 46 – 49 . Several technologies are available to improve seed germination and other seed quality parameters but their use in many countries in Africa including in Cameroon particularly for tropical forage seed are rare/nonexistence due to limited awareness, low technical know-how, limited access to agricultural inputs and credits, low priority given to forage research and development activities, and subsistence nature of forage and forage seed production.…”

“…The quality of these seeds in the ambient storage conditions deteriorate over time because of exposure to high temperature, high humidity and fluctuations in temperature and humidity. The use of technologies like storage of seeds in hermetic super bags and in a cold chain could slow down deterioration of these seeds 41 , 47 .…”

The effect of cutting regime and genotype on growth, seed yield, seed quality and herbage yield of seven Urochloa (syn. Brachiaria) grass genotypes in the Adamawa region of Cameroon

“…Urochloa seed deterioration over time is a universal phenomenon under unsuitable storage conditions. Most tropical species lose their seed viability very fast when stored for long under ambient conditions (Hare, 2014; Hare et al, 2018). This could have been the case for cv.…”

“…However, seeds harvested by hand‐knocking present about 30% level of immaturity and low quality. If these seeds could be harvested by ground sweeping and stored in cool environment, it could be a better option to improve germination rates because studies have revealed faster seed deterioration rates over time for some cultivars (Mulato II) under hand‐knocking and storage at ambient conditions (Hare, 2014; Hare et al, 2018). Seeds harvested in December revealed better germination rates than November.…”