Effects of Storage and Priming on Seed Emergence in Soil and Embryo Culture of Musa acuminata Calcutta 4

Aims: Effects of 3 storage durations, 3 hydro priming protocols and 6 chemical priming protocols on emergence in soil (in vivo) and embryo culture (in vitro) of Musa acuminata Calcutta 4 were investigated.

Study Design: The experimental design was a completely randomised with three replicates. Analysis of variance was used (P=.05) to test treatment effects in a Completely Randomised design. Mean comparison was by LSD.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out for a period of 10 months at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture High Rainfall Station, Onne, in Rivers State, Nigeria.

Methodology: Seed pre-sowing treatments consisted of 3 storage protocols, 3 hydro priming and 6 chemical treatment protocols. After which treated seeds were divided into two sets. One set was sown directly in soil and the other set subjected to embryo culture technique.

Results: Seeds sown in soil immediately they were extracted had significantly higher emergence than stored seeds. Emergence declined by 20% and 23% after 2 weeks and 4 weeks of storage respectively. For embryo culture, seeds stored for 2 weeks had significantly higher germination (40%) than seeds that were not stored or seeds stored for 4 weeks (38%). Emergence in vivo was significantly higher for seeds that were not hydro primed than for seeds hydro primed for 4 days or 8 days. Emergence declined by 33% and 38% in seeds hydro primed for 4 days and 8 days respectively. Hydro priming for embryo culture for 4 days increased germination significantly by 60% compared to those without hydro priming. All the chemicals reduced emergence in both soil and in vitro procedures except that of Copper oxychloride in embryo culture which increased germination by 18%, compared to the control achieving 47% germination.

Conclusion: Higher germination was recorded with in vitro than in vivo procedures irrespective of the treatments applied. Perhaps inherent factors in the seed coat and possible interactions in soil may account for the poor emergence exhibited in vivo and will require further investigation.