Determination of physiological and environmental conditions for the storage of babassu palm seeds (Attalea speciosa)

Knowledge of the seed storage behaviour of a species is essential for germplasm preservation. The babassu (Attalea speciosa) is a palm from north and north-east regions of Brazil. The oil extracted from the seeds of this species has a range of applications. To date, the storage behaviour for A. speciosa, as well as its minimum storage conditions, have not been determined and hence determination of seed storage behaviour was the objectives of this work. The ability to germinate as seed moisture content was reduced over eight days was followed. Seeds at 5% water content were then stored at four temperatures (-196, -20, 6 and 25°C) and over three time periods (0, 180 and 360 days). Germination tests were performed by the cultivation of zygotic embryos in vitro. There was a significant decrease in germination of the seeds stored at 25°C after 360 days, whereas there was no reduc tion in germination of seeds stored at -20 and -196°C. The results from this study suggest that A. speciosa seeds tolerate desiccation below 5% and storage at low temperature, and therefore present orthodox storage behaviour.