Influence of sarcotesta, moisture content and packaging material on papaya seed germination during storage

This work was carried out in order to evaluate the effect of sarcotesta presence, seed moisture content and packaging on papaya seed germination during storage. Papaya seeds from Formosa group, hybrid Tainung 01, dried down to 5, 8 and 11% moisture content, were packed in paper bag, polyethylene bag, aluminized paper pouch and metal can and stored for 15 months at room condition. Before storage and at each three months, seed moisture content and germination (final and first count) were assessed. Freshly harvested papaya seeds showed dormancy, which was overcame by 6-month storage, independent of sarcotesta presence. During the 15-month storage, seeds without sarcotesta maintained better physiological quality than seeds with sarcotesta, independent of initial moisture content. In general, the physiological quality of seeds without sarcotesta with 8 or 11% moisture content was maintained for about twelve months under laboratory conditions, independent of packaging material. Impermeable package was not indicated for the storage of seeds without sarcotesta with 5% moisture content.