Harvest time and storage condition affect germination, moisture, abscisic acid, and indoleacetic acid in pecan

Abstract

Moisture percentage, free abscisic acid, and total indolcacetic acid (IAA) content were determined at shuck-split in 'Hughes' and Owens' pecan kernels (nuts harvested from the tree), immediately after harvest from the ground, and after subsequent storage periods of 45, 90, and 135 d at 3°C or 10°C. In 'Hughes', seed germination increased when nuts were harvested from the tree compared with germination of nuts harvested from the ground or nonstratified and stratified nuts. Germination of nuts harvested from the ground did not differ from germination of nuts stored at 3°C in moist media for 45, 90, or 135 d. Significant positive correlation between germination of 'Hughes' and 'Owens' and moisture percentage was observed. There was no relationship between abscisic acid levels and germination in either cultiver. However, there was a significant correlation between germination of 'Hughes' and IAA. Germination of 'Owens' did not correlate with IAA levels.