Search Results

You are looking at 1 - 3 of 3 items for

  • Author or Editor: Roger Styer x
Clear All Modify Search
Authors: and

Impatiens (Impatiens wallerana Hook.f.) flower seeds are believed to be sensitive to storage temperature and humidity conditions. A study was conducted to evaluate seed quality changes occurring during a 1-year period of storage under various temperature and humidity combinations. Four seed lots of `Super Elfin Red' and `Super Elfin White' impatiens were studied. Constant humidity treatments were obtained using saturated salt solutions; 15% relative humidity (RH) with LiCI, 25% RH with KAc, 33% RH with MgCl2, and 43% RH with K2CO3. Constant temperature treatments were 5, 15, and 22C. At 3-month intervals, replicate samples were sown in plug flats in the greenhouse. Seed quality was evaluated as the percentage of usable seedlings 21 days from sowing. Rapid deterioration of seed quality was seen under high temperature and high humidity storage conditions. Seeds became less sensitive to humidity at 5C. Conditions of 20% to 25% RH and 5C are recommended for impatiens seed storage.

Free access

Abstract

Seeds of 2 corn (Zea mays L.) endosperm mutants, shrunken-2 (sh2) and sugary (su), were produced in the field and greenhouse and harvested 18 to 46 days postpollination (dpp). Seeds of su accumulated dry weight rapidly after 26 dpp, while sh2 seeds had nearly attained their final weight by this stage. This resulted in a larger endosperm in su. Greenhouse-grown sh2 seeds weighed more than field-grown sh2 throughout development. Germination and seedling growth of greenhouse-grown sh2 seeds under optimum conditions were greater than that of field-grown sh2 when seeds were older than 26 days. Greenhouse-grown sh2 seeds 26 days and older germinated as well as field- and greenhouse-grown su with comparable seedling growth. Germination of field-grown sh2 seeds was much higher throughout development in the cold rolled-towel test compared to the cold soil test. Viability and vigor differences between immature seeds of both genotypes were not distinguishable by the cold, rolled-towel test, but were very noticeable in the cold soil test. Under cold soil test conditions, greenhouse-grown sh2 seeds had significantly greater emergence than did field-grown sh2 38 dpp and older. Mature greenhouse-grown sh2 and su seeds were of equal viability and vigor in the cold soil test.

Open Access

Abstract

Field- and greenhouse-grown seeds of 2 sweet corn (Zea mays L.) endosperm mutants—shrunken-2 (sh2) and sugary (su)—were harvested 18 to 46 days postpollination (dpp). Mature sh2 seeds had a greater imbibition and leakage rate than did su. Leachate conductivity was greater from field-grown sh2 seeds than greenhouse-grown sh2 at maturity. No difference in carbohydrate leakage was observed between genotypes at maturity. Leakage generally decreased in all seed types with increasing maturity. Cracking of the pericarp was not noticeable in either sh2 or su during development. In mature seeds of both genotypes, the pericarp appeared to be thicker and adhered more tightly to the aleurone layer than in immature seeds. Dry seeds of sh2 contained considerably less total carbohydrates and starch than su 18 to 46 dpp. Field-grown su seeds accumulated more total carbohydrates during development than greenhouse-grown su or sh2. The lowest amounts of sugars in dry seeds occurred at maturity with no difference noted between field- and greenhouse-grown sh2 and field-grown su. Immature fresh kernels (freeze-dried) of su and sh2 contained 2 to 3 times, respectively, more sugars than immature dry kernels. At maturity, fresh and dry kernels of either genotype had equal amounts of sugars, but fresh kernels contained more starch.

Open Access