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48th TWC, Tob. Work. Conf., 2018, abstr. 19

Effect of storage method and duration on germination of pelleted flue-cured tobacco seed

AMANKWA G.; MISHRA S.; SHEARER A.D.; VAN HOOREN D.L.
Canadian Tobacco Research Foundation, Delhi, Ontario, Canada

The amount of pelleted seed remaining after seeding can be quite substantial in certain cases, requiring proper storage if the seed is to be seeded the subsequent year. This study was conducted to determine the best storage condition that would maintain the viability of pelleted seed when seed is stored for a period of one to two years. Two seedlots of flue-tobacco (2011 grown cv. CT157 and 2014 grown cv. CT652) both pelleted in the U.S. in early 2015 were stored for periods of 1 and 2 years in four locations with different temperatures, namely, a freezer (-18ºC), refrigerator (4ºC), seed room (18ºC), and office (21-23ºC). Each seedlot was stored in small plastic containers with lids and sealed and secured in plastic bags to prevent moisture from entering the seeds. The seedlots were evaluated for germination in the laboratory in an incubator at 24ºC before being stored and after the storage periods of one and two years. Significant differences were found between seedlots for germination and germination rate in the pre-storage evaluation, with final germination (10 days after incubation) of 88.3% between the two seedlots. For seed stored one year, seedlot influenced final germination percent and germination rate index (GRI), but storage method effect was not significant. For seed stored two years, seedlot and storage method influenced final germination and GRI. The seedlot x storage method interaction effect was significant for GRI. Storage in the freezer, refrigerator, seed room, and office for two years had 88.5%, 86.5%, 84.0%, and 80.2% germination, respectively, compared to the pre-storage germination (88.3%). The GRI values decreased by 12.9% (freezer) to 25.4% (office) compared to that for the pre-storage evaluation. Seed stored for two years generally remained viable with the freezer and refrigerator storages being the best options for maintaining seed viability. (Reprinted with permission)