The effects of seed moisture content, storage temperature and hot water-steeping on the quality of <i>Corchorus olitorius</i> L. seeds

Abstract

Seeds packaged at 5.5, 10.6 and 16.8% moisture content were stored at 10 and 30°C for 20 weeks. Germination and seedling emergence were tested at 2 weekly intervals during the storage period. On each testing day, seeds were steeped for 2 or 5 seconds in hot water at 97°C to enhance germination; un-steeped seeds served as the control. Hot water-steeping resulted in higher, faster and more synchronized germination and seedling emergence. Seeds steeped for 2 seconds recorded significantly higher germination and seedling emergence compared to 5 seconds steeping. Seeds stored better at low moisture content (about 5%) and temperature (about l0°C).