Effects of temperature and moisture content of the substrate during storage on embryo development and germination in seeds of Musa velutina Wendl. & Drude

SummaryMany wild plants in the Musa genus are diploid and form many seeds. However, their seeds rarely germinate after sowing. This non-germination phenomenon makes the breeding of Musa difficult. A method to promote seed germination for breeding and mass propagation has long been awaited. There are many reports on tissue culture or embryo culture, but the procedures are very cumbersome. In this study, we investigated embryo development during the seed germination process and examined optimal seed storage conditions. Germinability of the seeds of Musa velutina immediately after harvest and optimal seed storage conditions for embryo development and germination were investigated. Most seeds harvested in January and August did not germinate within 10 weeks after sowing at 10˚–30˚C. These seeds had immature mushroom-shaped embryos. When seeds with mushroom-shaped embryos were stored after harvest in vermiculite with different moisture contents, under various temperatures, a 75% (w/w) moisture content (–0.01 M...