The Effect of Harvest Time and Drying on Dormancy and Storability in Beechnuts

Abstract

The effect of harvest time and drying on dormancy and storability was studied in two seed sources of beechnuts (Fagus syhatica L.). Seeds harvested before, around and after shedding, were dried at 15% relative humidity by three different methods; A: at 15°C to 8% moisture content; B: at 20°C four hours per day to 8% moisture content; and C: at 20°C eight hours per day to 20,16,12 and 8% moisture content. Intact seeds or seeds after removal of pericarp and seed coat were tested for germination at 5°C for 10 and 16 months. Dormancy measured as mean germination time (MGT), decreased in mature seeds. Drying and removal of pericarps also reduced MGT. The difference of MGT between fresh and dry seeds was approx. 3–4 weeks. Removal of pericarp resulted in a further reduction in MGT by two weeks. The two seed sources were not synchronous with regard to optimum time of harvest, collection of seeds long before or after shedding had a negative effect on the seed storability.