Grading, Hydrating, and Osmotically Priming Seed of Four Citrus Rootstock to Increase Germination Rate and Seedling Uniformity

Abstract

Commercially processed citrus seeds of Carrizo citrange [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osb. × Poncirus trifoliata (L) Raf.], Swingle citrumelo (C. paradisi Macf. × P. trifoliata), Cleopatra mandarin (C. reticulate Blanco), and sour orange (C. aurantium L.) were used to test the effects of grading, hydrating, and priming on the rate of germination and seedling emergence. Sorting seed into groups by fresh weight or diameter did not generally improve seed performance. Seed fresh weight was highly correlated with maximum seed diameter; also, large seed weight and size were associated with a larger number of embryos. When seedlings from the extra embryos were removed, large seed produced the largest seedlings. Soaking seeds in aerated water significantly increased germination and emergence rates over unsoaked seeds. Soaking at 35C rather than 25C enhanced these differences. Priming seeds in one of three solutions of polyethylene glycol 6000 (—0.6 to—1.2 Mpa) was not successful> as germination and emergence Per centages were lower than in distilled water.