Vigour of Welsh onion seeds in relation to storage temperature and seed moisture content.

Abstract

The effect of storage temperature and seed moisture content on the vigour of Welsh onion (Allium fistulosum L.) seeds was investigated in this study. After two years storage, several indices of seed vigour, including dehydrogenase activity, germination energy, vigour index and emergence percentage of the seeds, declined as storage temperature and seed moisture content increased. When the seeds were stored at room temperature or 6°C for two years, the indices were significantly influenced by the seed moisture content. The increase of seed moisture content resulted in the significant decrease of the indices, some of which were reduced to zero. The low temperature storage at -6°C reduced the effect of seed moisture content on seed vigour. Seedling emergence from seeds stored for two years was closely associated with the storage temperature and seed moisture content. The low temperature storage of the seeds with low moisture content maintained a high seed vigour. If seeds, in which the moisture content had been reduced to less than 6%, were stored at -6°C, the germination percentage was above 90% after three years storage. These results are important for seed storage and genetic resources conversation of Welsh onion.