Morphology and germination of Citrus medica L. seeds

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to determine seed germination characteristics of citron (Citrus medica) and improve its germination. Citron was used as materials to observe its characters. Effects of seed coat removal, seed size and fruit maturity on citron seed germination were investigated. The findings indicated that the average normal seed weight was found to be 0.110 g while small 0.037 g; citron seed have ovoid shape (93.7%), spheroid (3.3%), and semi-deltoid (3.0%); seed percentage was 1%. After seed coat was removed, days taken to initial germination of citron seed were shortened by 5.6 d while germination percentage and germination potential and germination speed index of seeds significantly increased by 4.9%, 6.0% and 0.37, respectively. No significant differences taken to initial germination and germination potential were found between small and normal seed, but germination percentage and germination speed index of small seed was significantly lower than that of normal seed by 13.0% and 10.4, respectively. Early and immature fruit harvest with greenish-yellow skin had no significant impact on seed germination. The findings of this study will serve as a valuable reference for seed propagation strategies for C. medica.