Effects of desiccation and temperature on storage of Wild cherry (Prunus avium) seed

In order to determine the suitable conditions of temperature and effect of desiccation on seed viability during storage, seeds were collected from Aliabad Katool site in Golestan forests. After determining the primary characteristics, Preservation of Prunus avium seed samples has been conducted under two varied temperature conditions (4 and 25°C) and two moisture contents (11.5 and 5 percent) in tightly closed containers. After storage, the moisture content and viability of seeds was tested by staining with 0.1 percent solution of Tetrazolium in every three month periods. The results showed that desiccation had no significant effect on seed viability after 3 months of preservation at 4°C. But at 25°C desiccation had significant effect on seeds viability and at this temperature, viability of seeds stored with 11.5 percent moisture content was decreased. In total, following one-year storage, either seeds which their moisture content were reduced and the control seeds (with primary moisture content), under 4° C status indicated near 90 percent viability. From the results of this investigation it can be deduced that the better storage conditions for low-moisture content seeds of Prunus avium (< 11.5%) is maintainance at refrigerator with temperature of 4° C.