Effect of accelerated ageing on seed membrane integrity and chemical composition of Tetrapleura tetraptera (schum. & thonn.)

ABSTRACT Seed ageing is one of the major issues in the storage of seeds. Accelerated ageing test has shown great potential for studying the mechanism of ageing and associated deterioration processes of seeds. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of accelerated ageing process on seed membrane integrity and chemical composition of Tetrapleura tetraptera (schum. & thonn.). Seeds were subjected to traditional accelerated ageing (100% RH at 38 and 41°C for 48, 72 and 96 h) and salt-saturated accelerated ageing (76% RH at 38 and 41°C for 48, 72 and 96 h) tests and the aged seeds were tested for moisture content, leachate conductivity and chemical composition. Results showed that the accelerated ageing process led to an increase in seed moisture content, carbohydrate, fat, ash and crude fibre content and a reduction in crude protein content in the aged seeds. Also, the leachate conductivity test revealed a loss in membrane integrity of T. tetraptera seed indicating that the accelerated ageing process triggered the seed coat dormancy release in T. tetraptera seed and led to the leaching of the mineral constituent of the seed. The accelerated ageing test combined with a storage experiment could therefore be a promising technique for estimating the storage potential of T tetraptera seed but further investigations including the enzyme activity, are required to standardize the appropriate testing conditions for the species.