Effect of Seed Collection Period on Seed Quality of Grafted-Indigenous Rubber

Abstract

Seed production of grafted-indigenous rubber (Hevea brasiliensis Mull-Arg.) is a way to solve seed shortage for rootstock production.  The effect of collection period on seed quality of grafted- indigenous rubber was studied. Fruits at yellowish-green and brown stages and seeds at naturally shedding stage during 1-7 days after shedding were collected and tested for seed germination and vigor. The results showed that rubber seeds collected from yellowish-green fruit and brown fruit stage had moisture content and germination of 33.60 and 76.00%, respectively. At the shedding stage, the seeds had lower seed quality with moisture content of 26.25% and germination of 60.00%. In addition, all parameters of seed vigor studied showed a significant decrease. These results indicated that the rubber seeds exhibited high sensitivity to the seed collection period. The fruit collection at the yellowish-green fruit and brown fruit stage gave better seed quality than the shedding stage collection. Therefore, such information would be helpful for further successful rootstock production.