Hot water-steeping enhanced germination of jute mallow (Corchorus olitorius) seeds

Abstract

Hot water-steeping on the germination and viability maintenance of seeds of jute mallow (Corchorus olitorius) was investigated at the Federal University of Technology, Minna. Seed moisture content was adjusted to 5.3, 11.6 and 16.5%. The packaged seeds were in rubber-stoppered glass bottles and stored at 30℃ for 16 weeks. Germination was tested at two weeks interval for 12 weeks and finally at 16 weeks. Seed were steeped in boiling water for 2 seconds prior to storage, 5 second prior to storage, 2 second on each testing day and 5 second on each testing day to break dormancy before germination was tested. Unsteeped saeeds served as the control. Germination of unsteeped seeds was low all through the storage period irrespective of storage moisture content. Steeping of seeds in boiling water for two second significantly increased seed germination at all storage duration an indication that seed dormancy was not lost with age. Seeds stored better at low moisture content than at higher ones. Packaging of Corchorus olitorius seeds in moisture-proof containers at moisture below 11.6% is recommended. Prior to sowing, hot-water steeping of seeds from such lots may be necessary for rapid and uniform germination irrespective of storage duration