The Influence of Harvest Method on Seed Yield, Seed Size and Germination Capacity of Bulbine bulbosa (R. Br.) Haw. (Liliaceae)

摘要

The yield, size and germination capacity of seeds harvested from intact inflorescences of the Australian perennial forb Bulbine bulbosa (R. Br.) Haw. (Liliaceae) were compared with those harvested from inflorescences that were detached from the parentplant and allowed to dry at 20°C. Inflorescences were detached when the first, third and sixth capsules, respectively, reached harvest maturity, and seeds were harvested as capsules opened during storage. Capsules on intact inflorescences were harvested from the plant as they opened. The influence of capsule position within an inflorescence was assessed by separately analysing seeds harvested from the proximal, central and distal third of all inflorescences. Seed yield from intact inflorescences was highest, but daily harvests were required and spanned an average of 33 days per inflorescence, approximately twice as long as detached inflorescences. There was no significant difference in the number of seeds harvested per capsule, but there was a higherproportion of small seeds harvested from detached inflorescences than from intact inflorescences. Following 8 months of dry storage, germination, 21 days after imbibition, was >70% for all harvest treatments. Removing and storing inflorescences, when 1-3 capsules reach harvest maturity, improve harvest efficiency of B. bulbosa seeds.