Effect of fruit after-ripening and seed sarcotesta on seed vigour of Carica papaya.

Abstract

The influence of after-ripening period and seed sarcotesta on seedling emergence and vigour were evaluated at the Crop Production Laboratory at the Federal University of Technology, Minna, fruits of a paw-paw landrace (FUTM-Coe) harvested at the colou-braeking stage were divided randomly into three lots. Seeds from fruits had after-ripened for two and four days respectively at room temperature (30C). seeds from each of the three lots described above were then divided into two. The sarcotesta of seeds of one lot was removed while seeds of the other lots were left intact. Dried seeds were packaged in polythene envelop and stored at 30C, freshly harvested papaya seeds exhibited dormancy which was indicated by low seedling emergence, shorter seedling heights, lower leaf number and poorer seedling fresh and dry weights. Following storage, the scores of these trials increased for some time following a decline at some point depending on trial studied. The presence of sarcotesta also resulted in poorer seedling emergence.