Seed quality and longevity during storage of four jatropha curcas L.accessions found in Sarawak

Geffry Ujie, Joshua (2013) Seed quality and longevity during storage of four jatropha curcas L.accessions found in Sarawak. Masters thesis, University Malaysia Sarawak.

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Abstract

Seeds of Jatropha curcas L. collected from four accessions from Bintulu, Miri, Samarahan and Sri Aman were studied to determine moisture content, germination, viability and other related properties (seedling morphogenesis and seed oil content). Outcomes of this research were crucial for developing and innovating the suitability of seed storage methodology in retaining quality for future precedent. This study emphasized the effects of desiccation and storage of seed from three different level of fruit maturity. In addition, an environmental influence on the mother tree was also studied to determine the relatedness yield of seed oil content by ecological features and soil property. This study revealed that the maturity indexes was significant (p = 0.009) to determine the quality of the fresh seed. However, at post-storage the outcome was vice-versa (p = 0.055) due to seed aging. The best criterion to determine seed quality at post-storage was by accession where it showed a significant outcome of p < 0.001 compared to fresh seed (p = 0.051). Desiccation period of 96 hours reduced seed moisture content up to 70% for 60 days of storage was optimal in minimizing the risk of deterioration caused by fungi and seed biochemical reaction, as well as retained seed viability. Dry microclimate and ample content of phosphorus, magnesium, sulfur, copper and zinc elements available in soil were believed as a factor for which contributed to high oil yield in J. curcas seed.

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