Seed storage behaviour of Fagus sylvatica and Fagus crenata

The seed storage behaviour of Fagus sylvatica and F. crenata was investigated. A large fraction of seeds of both species survived desiccation to about 3% moisture content (MC) (in equilibrium with 10% relative humidity at 20degreesC). Nevertheless, viability was reduced significantly and progressively by desiccation from 14% to 3% MC. In addition, during subsequent hermetic storage at constant temperatures of 20 to -20degreesC in F sylvatica and 10 to -20degreesC in F crenata seeds, viability was lost more rapidly with reduction in MC below about 7.6-11.5% (40-71% relative humidity at 20degreesC). Thus, Fagus sylvatica and F crenata exhibited intermediate seed storage behaviour. Survival at -20degreesC with 7.8-11.5% (F sylvatica) and 7.6% MC (F crenata) was comparatively good, with 64-84% of seeds remaining able to germinate normally after 2 years of hermetic storage, although this was neither appreciably better nor worse than at 0-10degreesC. Optimum seed storage environments, within the range investigated, were provided by combining temperatures of -10 to -20degreesC with 7.8-11.5% (F sylvatica) or 7.6-9.5% (F crenata) MC.