Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-tf8b9 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-26T01:23:18.386Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Seed storage behaviour of four Sahelian and Sudanian tree species (Boscia senegalensis, Butyrospermum parkii, Cordyla pinnata and Saba senegalensis)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 February 2007

P. Danthu*
Affiliation:
CIRAD-Forêt, B.P. 1716, Dakar, Senegal ISRA/D.R.P.F., B.P. 2312, Dakar, Senegal
A. Guèye
Affiliation:
ENSA Thiès, B.P. A 296, Thiès, Senegal
A. Boye
Affiliation:
PRONASEF, B.P. 3818, Dakar, Senegal
D. Bauwens
Affiliation:
PRONASEF, B.P. 3818, Dakar, Senegal
A. Sarr
Affiliation:
ISRA/D.R.P.F., B.P. 2312, Dakar, Senegal
*
Correspondence Tel: +221–832–32–19 or +221–832–46–74 Fax: +221–832–96–17 or +221–821–18–79 Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

Abstract

Seeds of four African tree species from the Sahelian zone (Boscia senegalensis) and the Sudanian zone (Butyrospermum parkii, Cordyla pinnata and Saba senegalensis) lose viability after moisture contents drop below 22 and 30%, depending on the species. Seed longevity in wet and airtight storage does not exceed a few months. Temperatures close to zero elicit symptoms of chilling injury leading to rapid seed death. The optimum storage temperature is 15°C. These results allow the four species to be classified as recalcitrant seed species. Boscia senegalensis is therefore an exception in arid zones where most species have orthodox seeds.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2000

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Becker, B. (1983) The contribution of wild plants to human nutrition in the Ferlo (Northern Senegal). Agroforestry Systems 1, 257267.Google Scholar
Bergeret, A. (1986) Nourritures de cueillette en pays sahélien. Journal d'Agriculture Traditionnelle et de Botanique Appliquée 33, 91130.Google Scholar
Bergeret, A. (1993) Le dimb. Le Flamboyant 27, 1415.Google Scholar
Berjak, P. and Pammenter, N.W. (1994) Recalcitrance is not an all-or-nothing situation. Seed Science Research 4, 263264.Google Scholar
Bolyn, J., Van Lerberghe, P. and Vancoppenolle, R. (1992) Structure des formations ligneuses en zone soudanosahélienne du Bassin arachidier au Sénégal. Revue du Réseau Amélioration de la Production Agricole en Milieu Aride 4, 157168.Google Scholar
Bonner, F.T. (1990) Storage of seeds: potential and limitations for germplasm conservation. Forest Ecology and Management 35, 3543.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Booth, F.E.M. and Wickens, G.E. (1988) Non-timber uses of selected arid zone trees and shrubs in Africa. FAO Conservation Guide 19. Rome, FAO.Google Scholar
Chin, H.F., Hor, Y.L. and Lassim, M.B.M. (1984) Identification of recalcitrant seeds. Seed Science and Technology 12, 429436.Google Scholar
Corbineau, F. and Côme, D. (1988) Storage of recalcitrant seeds of four tropical species. Seed Science and Technology 16, 97103.Google Scholar
Danthu, P., Roussel, J., Gaye, A. and El Mazzoudi, E.H. (1995) Baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) seed pretreatments for germination improvement. Seed Science and Technology 23, 469475.Google Scholar
Danthu, P., Gaye, A. and Sarr, A. (1999) Long term storage of Khaya senegalensis seed. The International Tree Crops Journal 10, 93100.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gaméné, S., Pritchard, H.W. and Harris, C. (1999) Vitellaria paradoxa. The project on handling and storage of recalcitrant and intermediate tropical forest tree seeds. Newsletter 5. Humlebaek, Danida Forest Seed Centre and IPGRI, pp. 1516.Google Scholar
Hong, T.D. and Ellis, R.H. (1996) A protocol to determine seed storage behaviour. IPGRI Technical Bulletin No. 1. Rome, IPGRI.Google Scholar
ISTA (1993) International rules for seed testing. Seed Science and Technology 21 (suppl.), 1287.Google Scholar
Le Houérou, H.N. (1980) The role of browse in the Sahelian and Sudanian zones. pp. 83100 in Le Houérou, H.N. (Ed) Browse in Africa. Addis Ababa, ILCA.Google Scholar
Roberts, E.H. (1973) Predicting the storage life of seeds. Seed Science and Technology 1, 499514.Google Scholar
Roussel, J. (1995) Pépinières et plantations forestières en Afrique tropicale sèche. Dakar, ISRA.Google Scholar
Sagna, P. (1997/1998) Evolution de la pluviométrie du Sahel sénégalais (1921–1995). Bulletin de l'IFAN, série B 48, 3746.Google Scholar
Sharma, M.L. (1973) Simulation of drought and its effect on germination of five pasture species. Agronomy Journal 65, 982987.Google Scholar
Tang, H.T. and Tamari, C. (1973) Seed description and storage tests of some dipterocarps. The Malaysian Forester 36, 3853.Google Scholar
Tompsett, P.B. (1994) Capture of genetic resources by collection and storage of seed: a physiological approach. pp. 6171 in Leakey, R.R.B.; Newton, A.C. (Eds) Tropical trees: the potential for domestication and the rebuilding of forest resources. London, HMSO.Google Scholar
Toury, J., Lunven, P. and Giorgi, R. (1961) Aliments de cueillette et de complément au Sénégal et zone sahélienne. Qualitas Plantarum et Materiae Vegetabilis 8, 139156.Google Scholar
von Maydell, H.J. (1990) Arbres et arbustes du Sahel. Eschborn, G.T.Z.Google Scholar