Influence of Seed Initial Moisture Content, Storage Condition and Time of Storage on Seedling Growth Stages of Coffee (Coffea arabica L.)

Abstract

Coffee is one of the most important agricultural products in the international market and many countries are involved in its production, trade or consumption. Arabica coffee is self-pollinated and homozygous, they are normally propagated by seeds. Seeds have been considered intermediate storage behavior with varying results. It is highly desirable that seeds are stored safely to optimize coffee seedling production at the appropriate time and season with ideal climatic conditions for planting in the field. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of storage temperature, time of storage and initial seed moisture content on early seedling performances of coffee seeds and to determine the appropriate seed handling method. In this experiment, the influence of initial seed moisture content with four levels (12, 17, 22 & 27%) storage temperature (ST) with two levels (15^oC & ambient), time of storage with six levels (sowing after 1,2,3,4,5,& 6 months) and on coffee seedling growth stages were studied in a split-split-plot factorial design. The data collected were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) using statistical analysis system version 9.2 software (SAS, 2009). Treatment means were separated using LSD at 0.05 probability level. The present findings of storage environment with cold temperature (15^oC) accelerated seedling growth stages parameters much better performances than did ambient temperature condition. All tested seedling growth stages were faster at initial time of storage. After third month seed quality drastically reduced especially under ambient storage condition. Seeds dried to 12% moisture content showed delayance throughout the trial period. Seeds with 27% initial moisture content took shorter days to reach at different growth stages at initial storage time but when aged took much days. Storage temperature, time of storage and initial seed moisture contents showed highly significant main and interaction effects and seeds dried to intermediate moisture level (17 & 22%), stored under cold temperature and sown at early times resulted in enhanced seedling growth. Hence, it is advisable drying coffee seeds to about 17% to 22% moisture contents and keep under storage with relatively lower temperatures at about 15^oC for not more than six months of storage. As the present finding was limited to single cultivar and done under specific environmental condition further investigation is significant.

Keywords: Arabica coffee, Coffee Seedling, Seedling growth stage