Effects of some seed advancement treatments on the germination of Coffea arabica L. seeds

Abstract

Weighed seeds of four varieties of Coffea arabica L. namely: SL28, SL34, K7 and Ruiru 11, a hybrid, were subjected to some seed advancement treatments. The treatments were allowing the seeds to imbibe known quantities of various solutions for 48 hours before drying them back to their initial weight. They were then plated out on filter papers in petri dishes. Germination counts were recorded every 24 hours. Seed advancement treatments resulted in earlier germination but did not increase the final germination percent. Acetone resulted in the fastest germination time but inhibited subsequent radicle development. It is concluded that the treatments elicited physiological activity which resulted in rapid seed germination but did not significantly influence seed viability