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Effects of pre-chilling
and temperature on seed germination of Corchorus
olitorius L. (Tiliaceae) (Jew’s Mallow), a wild leafy
vegetable
M. Nkomo and L. Kambizi1*
Biological Sciences Department, Walter Sisulu University,
P/Bag X1 Mthatha 5117, South Africa.
*Corresponding author. E-mail:
Lkambizi@wsu.ac.za.
Tel: +27475022274. Fax: +27866586969.
Accepted 10
November, 2008 |
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The wild leafy vegetable, Corchorus olitorius L, has a
potential for development as a crop. Self propagation of
this species is by seed. In an attempt to improve the length
of time of its availability, the effects of pre-chilling and
temperature on germination of its seeds were investigated.
Although it had a seed viability of 90.1% (using the
tetrazolium technique), seed subjected to a temperature of
25oC for both pre-chilled and unchilled seeds
showed no germination. Seeds subjected to a temperature of
35oC did germinate with a maximum of 88%
germination from seeds that had been pre-chilled for 3 ˝
days compared to those which were unchilled, pre-chilled for
a day or pre-chilled for 7 days. Pre-chilling followed by
exposure to a temperature higher than 30oC
encourages germination of C. olitorius
seeds. Nursery establishment under such conditions may
improve its length of availability.
Key
words:
Corchorus olitorius,
germination, temperature, pre-chilling, wild vegetable. |
