| Abstract Detail
Seed Biology schwallier, Rachel [1], Blackman, Sheila [2]. The effects of seed maturity on seed quality in Epidendrum tempense. Current orchid ex situ conservation efforts focus on refining long-term storage success. Prior research, though, has overlooked consideration of the harvest time. Here, we evaluate the influence of maturity on aspects of seed quality for the epiphytic orchid Epidendrum tempense. To do so, we investigate the following features; capsule characteristics, seed weight and water content, and viability as measured by staining with fluorescein diacetate. We found that capsule diameter, but not length, correlated with maturity. Total seed weight and water content also varied with maturity. Seeds stained positively with fluorescein diacetate (which we showed previously correlated with germinability) indicating embryos were living, with no change detected through development. We conclude that capsule width may be a useful indicator of seed maturity, and that seeds undergo a drop in water content approximately two thirds through development. The impact of these results on orchid seed storage practices will be discussed.
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1 - Grand Valley State University, Biology, 1 Campus Drive, Allendale, Michigan, 49401, USA
2 - Grand Valley State University, Biology
Keywords:
Orchidaceae
seed development
maturation.
Presentation Type: Plant Biology Abstract
Session: P
Location: Exhibit Hall (Northeast, Southwest & Southeast)/Hilton
Date: Sunday, July 8th, 2007
Time: 8:00 AM
Number: P29022
Abstract ID:1863 |
