Maintenance of citrus seed viability

Abstract

Seed viability could be maintained in storage for long periods provided the seed retained its initial moisture content, was kept cool and was protected with a suitable fungicide. Seed should be washed after extraction from the fruit, superficially dried, treated with Spergon and stored at a temperature within the 5-10° C. range in sealed polythene bags. Seeds of Emperor and Cleopatra mandarins retained their viability better than those of rough lemon and Joppa sweet orange, particularly when the storage period exceeded 6 months. Laboratory germination data for seed with the seed-coat unopened gave a better correlation with germination in the seed-bed than laboratory data from seed in which the seed-coat was opened before test. Most storage and seed extraction methods which maintained the viability of the seed also resulted in quick germination. However, some fungicidal treatments retarded germination.