Effect of storage environment and period on viability of breadnut (Artocarpus camansi Blanco) seeds in rainforest agroecology, Nigeria

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Effect of storage environment and period on viability of breadnut (Artocarpus camansi Blanco) seeds in rainforest agroecology, Nigeria

Journal Title: Journal of Agricultural and Crop Research - Year 2018, Vol 6, Issue 1

Abstract

There is need to encourage domestication and utilization of important indigenous tree species in Nigeria by educating the populace about the crops and making their seedlings available for potential growers. Access to seeds and seedlings are associated with seed storage problems which affect the use of many potentially high value indigenous species such as breadnut. However, there is no adequate information on seed handling, storage and seedling production of breadnut in rainforest zone of Nigeria. A study was therefore carried out to investigate the effect of methods and period of storage on viability of breadnut seeds at Ibadan, Nigeria. Some breadnut seeds were stored using refrigerator (4°C) and open shelf in two different seasons while some were planted immediately after extraction from the fruit (fresh). The seeds in storage were tested fortnightly in 2014 and weekly in 2015 from each batch for viability by sowing in the nursery. Total loss of viability was recorded for breadnut seeds stored for any period using each of the two methods while 67 to 72% germinability was recorded for seeds sown immediately after removal from the fruits (control) over the two seasons. This indicates that breadnut seeds cannot be stored for up to a week using any of the methods investigated in this study, hence, the need for further investigation to develop a protocol for handling and storage of breadnut seeds.

Authors and Affiliations

Olasanmi Bunmi

Keywords

Breadnut breadfruit germinability open-shelf refrigeration seedling emergence.

EP ID EP475702
DOI 10.33495/jacr_v6i1.18.102
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