Viability of Litchi chinensis seeds when stored in air and in water

Abstract

India is the second largest litchi producing country in the world after China (Syamal & Mishra, 1984), yet the number of litchi cultivars grown in the country is quite small compared with mango (Mangifera indica). In mango most of the choicest Indian cultivars have been obtained from chance seedlings (Singh, 1960) grown in the past without any definite aim in mind. Litchi, as a result of crosspollination (Chaturvedi, 1965), is a highly heterozygous fruit, and as such, its seedlings, like those of mango, exhibit a wide range of variation which helps in the selection of new desired types. It has, thus, been emphasized that litchi should be grown in bulk from seeds to introduce genetic variability (Kumar & Thakur, 1981). Kadman & Slor (1974), encouraged by excellent success in grafting, have also stressed the need for raising plants through seeds for rootstocks.

Desiccation tolerance in two species with recalcitrant seeds: Clausena lansium (Lour.) and Litchi chinensis (Sonn.)

“…1973) Roberts et al (1984) also claimed that the most promising method of germplasm conservation for recalcitrant seeds is storage in liquid nitrogen Berjak et al (1989) suggested that the germplasm of recalcitrant seeds could be conserved by cryopreservation of their excised embryo If embryonic axes have been desiccated to around 20% moisture content without loss of viability, it is possible that cooling and storage in liquid nitrogen will be achieved more easily This implies that, if seeds with higher desiccation tolerance can be obtained, cryopreservation will more easily be achieved Lychee seeds at different developmental stages differ in desiccation tolerance (Xia et al, 1990, which encouraged us to investigate the relation between seed development and desiccation tolerance Lychee (Litchi chinensis Sonn ) seed is recalcitrant (Hanson, 1984) and viability is completely lost when seeds are dried under open conditions at around 30 C for 4 days Ray and Sharma (1985) reported that Litchi chinensis can be stored in water for 15 days with a final 75% germination The viability of Clausena lansium (wampee) seeds was less than 50% when seeds were placed under open condition for 6 days and the moisture content decreased to 33-35% (Fu et al 1989a,b) Hoffmann andSterner (1989) also reported recalcitrance of wampee seeds Lychee and wampee are economically important fruit trees native to South China Overcoming their recalcitrance would be valuable for agricultural practice and germplasm conservation 1973) Roberts et al (1984) also claimed that the most promising method of germplasm conservation for recalcitrant seeds is storage in liquid nitrogen Berjak et al (1989) suggested that the germplasm of recalcitrant seeds could be conserved by cryopreservation of their excised embryo If embryonic axes have been desiccated to around 20% moisture content without loss of viability, it is possible that cooling and storage in liquid nitrogen will be achieved more easily This implies that, if seeds with higher desiccation tolerance can be obtained, cryopreservation will more easily be achieved Lychee seeds at different developmental stages differ in desiccation tolerance (Xia et al, 1990, which encouraged us to investigate the relation between seed development and desiccation tolerance Lychee (Litchi chinensis Sonn ) seed is recalcitrant (Hanson, 1984) and viability is completely lost when seeds are dried under open conditions at around 30 C for 4 days Ray and Sharma (1985) reported that Litchi chinensis can be stored in water for 15 days with a final 75% germination The viability of Clausena lansium (wampee) seeds was less than 50% when seeds were placed under open condition for 6 days and the moisture content decreased to 33-35% (Fu et al 1989a,b) Hoffmann andSterner (1989) also reported recalcitrance of wampee seeds Lychee and wampee are economically important fruit trees native to South China Overcoming their recalcitrance would be valuable for agricultural practice and germplasm conservation…”

“…Recalcitrant seeds cannot tolerate desiccation (Roberts. 1973) Roberts et al (1984) also claimed that the most promising method of germplasm conservation for recalcitrant seeds is storage in liquid nitrogen Berjak et al (1989) suggested that the germplasm of recalcitrant seeds could be conserved by cryopreservation of their excised embryo If embryonic axes have been desiccated to around 20% moisture content without loss of viability, it is possible that cooling and storage in liquid nitrogen will be achieved more easily (Fu et al, 1993) This implies that, if seeds with higher desiccation tolerance can be obtained, cryopreservation will more easily be achieved Lychee seeds at different developmental stages differ in desiccation tolerance (Xia et al, 1990(Xia et al, , 1993, which encouraged us to investigate the relation between seed development and desiccation tolerance Lychee (Litchi chinensis Sonn ) seed is recalcitrant (Hanson, 1984) and viability is completely lost when seeds are dried under open conditions at around 30 C for 4 days Ray and Sharma (1985) reported that Litchi chinensis can be stored in water for 15 days with a final 75% germination The viability of Clausena lansium (wampee) seeds was less than 50% when seeds were placed under open condition for 6 days and the moisture content decreased to 33-35% (Fu et al 1989a,b) Hoffmann andSterner (1989) also reported recalcitrance of wampee seeds Lychee and wampee are economically important fruit trees native to South China Overcoming their recalcitrance would be valuable for agricultural practice and germplasm conservation…”

Effects of Storage and Exogenous Ga3 on Lychee Seed Germination

“…It was recommend the storage in a refrigerator a way to reduce the speed of loss of viability. Ray & Sharma (1985), Menzel (1985) and Chen & Fu (1989) reported that lychee seeds were viable for only 4 -5 days.…”