Effect of Seed Drying on Germination Behavior and Seedling Growth of Sweetsop （Annona squamosa）

An experiment was conducted at the Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi （KNUST） Ghana from September, 2009 to April, 2010, to determine the most appropriate drying method, as a post harvest practice, that would ensure high percentage germination ofAnnona squamosa seeds and its subsequent effect on seedling growth. The seeds were sun-dried, air-dried under shade or kept in the fresh state. Five treatments were used, namely, Freshly Sown seeds （Treatment 1, control）, Seeds Air-Dried under Shade for one day （Treatment 2）; Seeds Sun-Dried for one day （Treatment 3）; Seeds Air-Dried under Shade for three consecutive days （Treatment 4）; Seeds Sun-Dried for three consecutive days （Treatment 5）. The experiment was arranged in a Completely Randomized Design （CRD） and replicated three times. Drying of Annona squamosa seeds had significant effect on earliness and number of seeds germinated. Air drying under shade and sun-drying for three consecutive days improved earliness to germination （26 days after sowing） and percent total germination but air-drying under shade had better effect on total seed germination, achieving 90% germination in 42 days after sowing. Furthermore, the prevailing ambient temperature of 30 ℃-32 ℃ enhanced germination of Annona squamosa seeds. The study concluded that for optimum germination, seeds of Annona squamosa should be either air-dried or sun-dried for three consecutive days and be incubated in an ambient temperature range of 30 ℃-32 ℃. In terms of growth, seedling growth in leaf production was better from seeds sun-dried for three consecutive days.

Compression and shearing force on kernel rupture in shelling fresh lotus seeds

The mechanical properties of fresh lotus seeds are still poorly understood,which complicates the design of mechanical shelling machinery.Therefore,this work carried out four-factor orthogonal tests to determine the maximum permitted compressive force and minimum necessary shearing force to shell fresh lotus seeds without rupturing the kernel.It was found that the mean compression force that cracked the fresh lotus seed and led to kernel rupture was 213.03 N.Both the compressive force and the seed deformation upon kernel rupture were affected,in descending order of significance,by loading mode,seed grade,loading rate,and seed standing time.On the other hand,the shearing force needed to shell the seeds had a mean value of 7.84 N,far less than the compressive force that cracked the seed shell.The shearing force was affected,in descending order of significance,by seed standing time,tip angle of cutter blade,and loading rate,but not significantly affected by seed grade.The results suggested that mechanical shelling of fresh lotus seeds should ideally be carried out for fresh lotus seeds with a standing time of no more than 6 h using a cutter blade with an angle of about 40°at a loading rate of 30-90 mm/min.