Seed maturity, germination, dormancy and storage of Melicope lunu-ankenda (Gaertn.) Hartley harvested at different maturity stages
Melicope lunu-ankenda, locally known as “Tenggek Burung” or “Cabang Tiga” is a tree species belonging to the Rutaceae family. M. lunu-ankenda is traditionally used to relieve symptoms of fever, revitalize the body and reduce high blood pressure. Studies have shown that the extract of M. lunu-anke...
Saved in:
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2018
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/83955/1/FP%202018%20104%20-%20ir.pdf |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| Summary: | Melicope lunu-ankenda, locally known as “Tenggek Burung” or “Cabang Tiga” is a
tree species belonging to the Rutaceae family. M. lunu-ankenda is traditionally used
to relieve symptoms of fever, revitalize the body and reduce high blood pressure.
Studies have shown that the extract of M. lunu-ankenda contains antioxidants and
anti-inflammatory properties. The fresh seeds have difficulty in germinating and
takes more than 7 months to germinate. Studies need to be carried out to determine
the cause of this delay in germination of M. lunu-ankenda seeds.
For the first part, flower tagging was carried out in the first week of June 2014. Fruits
were collected at random from the labeled panicles during each harvest (42, 56, 63,
70 and 77 days after tagging). Shape, size, colour and characteristics of the seed coat
was documented. Seeds were tested for fresh weight, dry weight and moisture
content (%). 50 seeds from each stage were germinated on 5 different types of media
(Sand, Soil Mixture, Peat Soil, Peat Moss and Filter Paper). For the second part of
the study, mature seeds harvested at day 77 after flowering were subjected to
physical and chemical treatments as follows: (1) Soaked in distilled water for 12, 24
and 36 hours. (2) Scarified using sand paper for 1, 2 and 3 minutes. (3) Soaked in
98% Sulfuric acid for 10, 15 and 30 seconds. (4) Soaked in 200 ppm, 400 ppm and
600 ppm concentration of GA3 for 10 minutes. (5) Soaked in 0.2%, 0.4% and 0.6%
concentration of KNO3 for 10 minutes. Imbibition rate for scarified seeds were tested
in comparison to fresh seeds. Seeds were then stored in different temperatures (29
ºC, 15 ºC and 10 ºC) for six months. Germination percentage were recorded every
two months after storage.
Results for the first part showed that the the maximum dry weight per 100 seed
(1.523 g) was recorded at 70 days after anthesis where fruit pods were dark green in
colour while the seeds were black and fully developed. Moisture content percentage
of seeds during dehiscence was recorded at 8.6%. Seeds obtained on day 70 and 77
showed the ability to germinate after 90 days with a percentage of 28.5% and 61.5%,
respectively on peat soil. For the second part of the experiment, seeds scarified using
sand paper for two minutes showed the highest germination percentage with 83%.
Germination starting time was also reduced from 90 days to 20 days after sowing.
Scarified seeds had a significantly higher imbibition rate in the first 12 hour
compared to normal seeds. When the imbibition period reached 12 hours, scarified
seeds achieved maximum water imbibition (0.381 g) compared to normal seeds
which only imbibed 0.035 grams of water. After 6 months of storage, highest
germination percentage and germination index was recorded when seeds were stored
at 29°C, 79.5 % and 1.374, respectively.
In conclusion, Melicope lunu-ankenda seeds exhibit physical seed dormancy that can
be overcome by mechanical scarification of the seed coat. Of all the dormancy
breaking techniques tested, it is recommended that the seeds are scarified using sand
paper for two minutes. The most suitable media to germinate the seeds is peat soil.
Seeds must be harvested at 77 days after flowering in order to obtain the highest
germination percentage. Since mature seed naturally has a moisture content of 8.6%
and can be stored until 6 months, seeds storage behaviour can be catagorised as
orthodox. |
|---|