Development of Small White Flower Morningglory Seeds and Influence of Storage on Their Germination and Viability

Abstract

Development of small white flower morningglory seeds were studied in the field and laboratory. Seeds reached their physical maturity and field maturity stage at day 21 and day 27 to 28 after blooming, respectively. Seeds collected at day 21 after blooming had 96% germination. Hardseeds developed at day 24 to 25 after blooming and germination decreased to 20% or less when harvested 25 days or more after blooming. The germination of seeds collected in the field at field maturity in the dry season was less than the seeds collected in the rainy season. Storage of hardseeds under room temperature for 66 weeks did not affect germination, but acid scarification increased germination. Storage of acid-scarified hardseeds under room temperature decreased their germination and coefficient of velocity but increased the percentage of non-viable seeds. At week 35 after storage, 48% of acid-scarified hardseeds seeds could germinate. The germination percentage of unscarified hardseeds stored in soil was reduced when increasing the period of storage. At week 77 after placing hardseeds in soil, 22% of seeds could germinate after acid scarification.