STORAGE BEHAVIOUR OF <em>JATROPHA</em> <em>CURCAS SEEDS</em>

Abstract

DUONG TH, SHEN JL, LUANGVIRIYASAENG V, HA HT & PINYOPUSARERK K. 2013. Storage behaviour of Jatropha curcas seeds. The storage behaviour of Jatropha curcas seeds was studied. Seeds collected from China, Papua New Guinea and Vietnam were tested for germination capacity after storing at three different temperature regimes: room temperature (28 °C), cool room (4 °C) and freezer (-23 °C) for up to 24 months. Seed moisture contents, which were determined prior to and after storage, were within the range 8–10%. None of the seeds stored at room temperature germinated after 12 months while those stored at 4 and -23 °C remained viable. Seed germination deteriorated substantially from 12 to 24 months. The decrease (85–98%) was more pronounced at -23 °C. Cool room storage at 4 °C was most suitable for storage of J. curcas seeds with more than 50% of seeds remaining viable after 24 months. The seed moisture contents of 8–10% appeared too high for deep freeze storage of Jatropha seeds. The results of this study confirmed the orthodox storage behaviour of J. curcas seeds.