COLLECTION AND HANDLING OF MAHOGANY (<em>SWIETENIA</em> <em>MACROPHYLLA</em>) SEEDS FOR OPTIMUM VIABILITY

Abstract

In order to ensure high viability of mahogany seeds, studies on size and maturity of fruits were carriedout.lt was found that big-sized fruits (length ranging from 101.3 to 174.0 mm and weighing 222 - 482 g) produced seeds with higher speed of germination compared to seeds from medium- and small-si2ed fruits. However, small-sized fruits were found to produce more filled seeds compared to medium- and big-sized fruits. The moisture content of the seeds decreased as fruits became mature. The seeds were found to be hygroscopic in nature. Cracks on the pericarp indicated that the fruits were fully mature. Seeds from fruits that were forced open were able to retain 35% moisture content after 24 h ambient drying and maintained higher seed viability when compared to seeds gathered from fruits that cracked naturally.