The effect of storage method and spraying with some nutrients and gibberellic acid on seeds viability of trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata L.)

The study was carried out on trifoliate orange rootstock trees (Poncirus trifoliata L.) at Ciano Research Station where the trees were sprayed with nutrients or gibberelic acid GA3 or togethers, beside the control (without spraying). Different treatments of seed storage were tested in order to study their effect on seed viability to increase it. The seeds were stored for three months using four treatments: (a) seed storage in fruits at +4˚C, (b) Storage in juice at +4˚C, (c) Storage at lab temperature, and (d) seed storage at fridge temperature +4˚C. The results showed that all spraying treatments were positive at postharvest, as compared with the control. However, treatment of seed storage inside the fruit gave the highest significant germination rate for all spraying treatments. Treatments of spraying with nutrients were the best. The viability of seeds considerably decreased for all treatments of seed storage at fridge temperature +4˚C, whereas germination was zero for seed stored in juice and seed stored at lab temperature.