The Effects of Storage Periods and Pre-Treatment Applications on Germination of Morinda lucida Benth Seeds

Abstract

The dormant nature of Morinda lucida embryo is a vital concern for seed germination. However, there are limited information on its seeds storage. This study was designed to determine the effects of different storage periods and pre-treatment applications on germination of Morinda lucida seeds. Mature Morinda lucida seeds were collected, cleaned, stored in airtight vials and maintained under traditional seeds storage technique. The seeds were stored at different periods of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks respectively while freshly collected seeds were used as control. Disinfection of seeds was achieved, using 1, 2 and 3% (w/v) sodium hypochlorite for 20 minutes respectively.  Afterwards, each category of stored seeds was subjected to pre-treatment applications, using the protocol of Ajongbolo et al., (2018). Data were analyzed, using ANOVA at P≤ 0.05. This study showed that seeds disinfected with 2% (w/v) sodium hypochlorite for 20 minutes, gave optimum response with no contamination; seeds kept in storage for 2-6 weeks and control (fresh), responded to germination while seeds stored for 8-12 weeks showed no response to germination. Observations on morphological characteristics showed that seeds kept in storage for 4 weeks had significant growth performance. This study’s result confirms that M. lucida seeds are recalcitrant seeds and their storage can only be achieved within short period of time after collection, because prolong storage showed inhibition of germination response. Therefore, storage of M. lucida mature seeds within short post-collection time, coupled with pre-treatment applications, enhanced good response to proper germination and growth performances for future utilization.