The genus
Leucocoryne
is endemic in Chile having a high ornamental value making it an interesting
genetic resource as a cut flower or potted plant. To conserve this germplasm
it is necessary to evaluate the deterioration of seed quality during storage.
In this study seeds of
L.
coquimbensis
,
L.
ixioides
and
L.
purpurea
, and two ecotypes were stored under uncontrolled environmental conditions
between 0.3 and 7.3 years. The model,
p
=
A
[1-exp{
-k
{
t -t
}}] was used to describe germination curves. where A, is the final germination
percentage, t
is the time that takes for the first seed to germinate,
k
is the germination time, and 1/t
A/2
is the germination velocity which is given by t
+ 0,693/k.. The parameters most affected by storage time were A and
k
. In the period between 0,3 and 2,3 years of storage, A had a mean value
of 85%, t
of 9 days,
k
between 0,82 and 0,15 d
-1
and germination velocity between 0,10 y 0,08 d
-1
. In the period between 3,3-5,3 years A reached a maximum of 13%, t
of 23 days,
k
of 0,19 d
-1
and 1/t
A/2
of 0,04 d
-1
. After six years of storage there was no germination. It was determined
that
Leucocoryne
maintains the quality of its seeds at room temperature for a maximum of
2.3 years which is useful for breeding purposes. However, for longer periods
of storage it is necessary to define adequate conditions of temperature
and humidity.
