Abstract:
Two experiments were conducted to determine the critical moisture content and the best storage
conditions for spiderplant seeds with a view to addressing the poor seed quality and promote
conservation of this plant genetic resource. In experiment one, seeds harvested at three pod maturity
stages; yellow, yellow-green and green were dried above silica gel to percentage moisture contents
of 20, 10, 5 and 2. For each maturity stage, viability and vigour tests were conducted. Percent
germination and vigour increased with seed maturity. Prior to storage, initial germination for
green, yellow-green and yellow pod maturity stages was 0.75%, 12% and 14.5% respectively.
Green pod maturity stage had the least vigour as indicated by the mean germination time and
electrical conductivity values of 4.18days and 420.77 Scm-1g-1 respectively. Yellow pod maturity
stage had the highest vigour of 2.00 days mean germination time and electrical conductivity of
20.51 Scm-1g-1. Yellow-green pod maturity stage was intermediate with 2.02days mean
germination time and 22.61 Scm-1g-1 of electrical conductivity. Germination of seeds from yellow
and yellow-green pods increased with reduction in moisture content while that of green pods
decreased. Based on this study, the critical moisture content for spiderplant seeds could be between
5% and 3%. Mature seeds that had been dried to the four moisture levels in experiment one were
sealed in aluminum foil and polythene packets and stored at ambient temperatures (10oC - 26oC), 5oC and -20oC for six months. After six months storage period, viability and vigour tests were
conducted. Seed stored for six months at 5% moisture content and minus 20oC recorded the highest
seed quality. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) between seeds packaged in aluminium
foil and polythene packets. In conclusion, spiderplant seed should be harvested at yellow pod
maturity stage, dried to 5% moisture content, and stored at minus 20oC.
