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Leek (Allium porrum L.) seed development and germination

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2008

D. Gray,
J. R. A. Steckel and
L. J. Hands
D. Gray*
Affiliation:
Horticulture Research International, Wellesbourne, Warwick CV35 9EF, UK
J. R. A. Steckel
Affiliation:
Horticulture Research International, Wellesbourne, Warwick CV35 9EF, UK
L. J. Hands
Affiliation:
Horticulture Research International, Wellesbourne, Warwick CV35 9EF, UK
*
* Correspondence
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Abstract

The effects of development of leek seeds at 20/10°, 25/15° and 30/20°C (day/night) and drying of seed harvested at different developmental stages on subsequent performance were examined in each of 3 years. An increase in temperature from 20/10° to 30/20°C reduced mean seed weight from 2.90 to 2.55 mg as a result of a reduction in the duration of seed growth from 80 to 55 days; seed growth rate was unaffected. Seed moisture content reached a minimum, up to 35 days after the attainment of maximum seed dry weight and 115, 90 and 70 days after anthesis at 20/10°, 25/15° and 30/20°C, respectively. The curves relating seed moisture to time for each temperature regime were mapped onto a single line accounting for >90% of the variation in moisture content, using accumulated day-degrees >6°C instead of chronological time. Seeds were capable of germinating when seed moisture contents were >60% (fresh weight basis), but maximum viability and minimum mean time to germination were not attained until seed moisture contents at harvest had fallen to 20–30%. Germination was little affected by temperature of seed development. Drying immature seeds increased percentage germination. Growing seeds at 30/20°C and drying at 35°C and 30% RH raised the upper temperature limit of germination compared with growing at 20/10°C and drying at 15°C and 30% RH.

Keywords

dryinggerminationmoisture contentseed developmenttemperatureleek

Information

Type
Research Papers
Information
Seed Science Research , Volume 2 , Issue 2 , June 1992, pp. 89 - 95
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1992

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