Storage of recalcitrant seeds: a case study of the Chinese fan palm, Livistona chinensis

Abstract

Various seed storage techniques were applied to the recalcitrant seeds of the Chinese fan palm (Livistona chinensis [Jacq.] R. Br.). Fully hydrated seeds were stored in perlite at 5 moisture levels at 15°C, and partially dried seeds were stored at 6 moisture levels at 4 temperatures. Cryopreservation was attempted with both intact seeds and isolated embryos. It was found that L. chinensis seeds can not survive sub-zero temperature storage for even one week, but short-term storage at above-zero temperature is feasible. Moist storage of fully hydrated seeds did not impair seed viability, but led inevitably to germination and fungal growth after one month. Partially dried seeds began to lose viability after 3 months storage. Intact seeds can not survive cryo-exposure at any moisture content. By contrast, embryos were successfully stored at liquid nitrogen temperature after desiccation to below 20% moisture content, and no signifi cant viability loss was found after 2-year cryostorage. The advantages and disadvantages of these storage methods are evaluated.